The book has closed on the most prolific class in Iowa State history. 

Naz Mitrou-Long, Matt Thomas and Monté Morris, the winningest class in Iowa State history, have played their final game in an Iowa State uniform. The trio grabbed three Big 12 Tournament titles and two Sweet 16 appearances over four years, but it’s time to turn the page to the next generation of Cyclones. 

Next year may turn out to be a rebuilding year for the Cyclones, with the lack of veterans and the transition to Prohm’s incoming recruits. 

Point guard Donovan Jackson, who is entering his senior season, will take over as the face of the team. Jackson played in 16.8 minutes per game in the 2016-17 season, putting up 6.4 points and 1.2 assists per game on the bench. 

His fiery attitude, which is evident in his celebrations after every big shot, will come to the forefront. His clutch shot against Kansas in early February spurred the team’s first win at Allen Fieldhouse in over a decade. 

It also helps that he had a year under the tutelage of Morris, perhaps the best point guard in the history of the program. 

“Monté Morris — he taught me everything,” Jackson said. “I’m going to use what he gave me, and all of the other seniors, and I’m going to be ready for next year. Trust me.”

Nick Weiler-Babb, who will be a redshirt junior, showed flashes of his potential in the 2016-17 season. Coach Steve Prohm heaped praise upon him before the season began, saying Weiler-Babb would be the most NBA-ready guy on the team. 

Weiler-Babb has a knack to drive the ball, but his shooting has left something to be desired. If he can improve on that, he could be a dangerous weapon in Prohm’s arsenal next season. 

Forward Solomon Young provided the biggest spark for the Cyclones this season. As a freshman, Iowa State went 11-2 with Young in the lineup. His insertion into the starting lineup was key in the team’s turnaround, leading to a Big 12 Tournament title and a run to the second round of the NCAA Tournament. 

While the Cyclones struggled in the post to start the season, Young will be a steady presence heading into a year of uncertainty.

“Solomon helps everybody out there,” Morris said during the team’s NCAA Tournament run. “Because he’s just a body at the rim that can finish or alter plenty of shots. His presence is helping everybody on the roster.”

The biggest excitement around the program comes from incoming guard commit Lindell Wigginton, the highest rated recruit in Iowa State history. 

The Oak Hill Academy product was ranked the 42nd-best recruit in the 2017 class by ESPN. He’ll likely compete for playing time immediately.

“To get Lindell into our program going forward is huge,” Prohm said. “He’s a guy that can come on campus day one and [be] ready to compete physically; mentally, just from the competition that he’s used to going against at Oak Hill over the past three years.”

The Cyclones will also have newcomers Darius McNeil and Terrance Lewis, who may contribute minutes off the bench. 

So, yes, the most successful seniors in program history are gone, but coach Steve Prohm still plans to keep the success intact. 

“The [seniors] had a renaissance of Iowa State basketball. They brought it back,” Prohm said. “So now it’s up to the young guys to keep that going.”