A look at the 2022-23 Iowa State men’s basketball roster (2024)

There are a lot of new names on the Iowa State men’s basketball roster, including a trio of freshmen and a handful of transfers.

Here are the players to watch out for at each positional group as the season kicks off.

Point Guards

After a season-ending Achilles injury to projected starting point guard Jeremiah Williams, there was concern over which players would be seeing time at the point guard position, but head coach T.J. Otzelberger has made his stance clear.

The three players that Otzelberger has consistently stated will run the floor for the Cyclones are freshmen Tamin Lipsey and Eli King and transfer Jaren Holmes.

Tamin Lipsey

Lipsey was an elite floor general in his time at Ames High School, averaging 15.9 points per game and 6.2 assists per game in his final season. In addition to this, Lipsey has been described as a scrappy defender, averaging 2.5 steals per game in his senior year.

Eli King

King was a much different player than Lipsey in high school, being described as more of an athletic high-flyer. King nearly averaged 10 rebounds in his senior season, so he also has the ability to contribute on the glass.

Expect King’s role to slowly increase as the season rolls on.

Jaren Holmes

Holmes is looking to be the starting shooting guard for the Cyclones, but Otzelberger included him on the list of players that could see time at point guard.

Holmes is an incoming transfer from St. Bonaventure and is a solid all-around player that does not make many mistakes on the offensive end.

Shooting guards/Forwards

There are a lot of players to watch in this position group, and there is also a lot of unknowns around which players will get the playing time. With no open scrimmages, it can only be guessed which players will see the bulk of the time. Here is who to watch out for this season.

Gabe Kalscheur

Kalscheur is probably the only write-in for minutes this season. Kalscheur transferred in from Minnesota last season and was inconsistent offensively. Defensively, however, Kalscheur consistently caused problems for the opposing team’s top scorer.

Kalscheur will likely start every game just like he did last season.

Demarion Watson

The freshman Watson is one of the more versatile pieces on this team. The six-foot-six freshman is listed as a guard but has the size of a forward. Watson has guard skills and has the ability to guard players at all five positions.

Watson will likely earn playing time through the variety of skills that he provides the team.

Caleb Grill

Grill led the Cyclones in three-point makes last season with 57 and shot 34.8% from beyond the arc. Grill has gained the trust of Otzelberger over his career, which will likely earn him a spot coming off the bench this season.

Aljaž Kunc

Kunc may not be the flashiest player, but he developed a three-point shot last season and was not afraid to get on the floor.

Taking charges and diving for loose balls made Kunc both a fan favorite and a coach favorite.

Do not expect Kunc to put up massive numbers; instead, he will go in to do some of the dirty work. Kunc could also sub in as a small-ball center occasionally.

Conrad Hawley and Hason Ward are also newcomers that have a chance to get into the mix. This position group has so much depth that there will likely be an odd man out or two that surprises people.

Center

Osun Osunniyi

Osunniyi is nearly a lock for the starting center position, as he has the playing experience from playing with Holmes at St. Bonaventure. Osunniyi is a defensive standout and makes his presence felt on the glass.

Tre King

King was ineligible for the entirety of last season after transferring to Iowa State. King is extremely athletic, and while he is a little small for the center position at six-foot-seven, he makes up for it with his strength.

Robert Jones is another player that could sneak into the mix early; however, with King becoming eligible and Kunc subbing in at center occasionally, it will be tough to find minutes.

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