Tavion Banks

IOWA CITY — University of Iowa swingman Tavion Banks declared for the NBA Draft and will enter the transfer portal if a fifth year is granted according to his social media on Wednesday.

Banks expressed his desire to remain with the Hawkeyes if a fifth year of eligibility is awarded to him. The senior played at Northwest Florida State for two seasons before transferring to Drake in 2024. Banks followed head coach Ben McCollum to Iowa for this past season.

As of the 2025-2026 academic year, junior college transfers in other sports, such as Vanderbilt quarterback Diego Pavia, argued that years played at junior colleges should not count against NCAA Division I eligibility. Banks is hoping for one more season via waiver as the NCAA continues to fight the JUCO transfer rules in court.

If the current lawsuit doesn’t allow Banks a fifth year, he will turn his sights to the NBA Draft. Due to the transfer portal closing on April 21 and the NBA Draft being scheduled for June 23-24, Banks entering the portal gives him the flexibility to explore his options while awaiting a ruling for another year of eligibility.

Banks averaged 10.2 points and 4.6 rebounds for Iowa this past season, shooting 52 percent from the floor at 44 percent from 3-point range. The Kansas City, Mo., native played in 37 games for the Hawkeyes and started in 35.