Iowa State freshman point guard Tyrese Hunter, the Big 12 Freshman of the Year, announced Monday that he plans to enter the men’s basketball transfer portal.
“First of all I want to thank the good Lord for blessing me with the ability and talent to play this game that I love so much,” Hunter wrote on social media. “Second, I want to thank Cyclone Nation for all of you for the support and undying enthusiasm you bring to Cyclone Basketball every game at the Hilton Coliseum or on the go. I will always appreciate it. Thank you to my coaches and staff and to all the players who hugged me here in the state of Iowa early in my college career.
“After prayer, talking to my family, and giving myself time to carefully consider my next steps on this journey, I have made the decision to enter the NCAA transfer portal.”
Hunter, a 6-footer from Wisconsin, instantly becomes one of the best point guards in the portal. He averaged 11.0 points, 3.5 rebounds, 4.9 assists and 2.0 steals last season.
Hunter, ranked #39 on the ESPN 100 for the Class of 2021, quickly became an Impact freshman after stepping onto the Ames campus. He opened his career with 11 points, six rebounds and five assists in the first game of the season at Iowa State, then made a national statement in late November with 19 points and five steals in a win over Xavier.
Hunter ended his freshman season in impressive fashion, scoring 23 points, hitting five steals and seven 3-pointers in Iowa State’s first-round NCAA tournament win over LSU — and had 13 points, seven assists and three Steals in losing Sweet 16 to Miami.
He started all 35 games for TJ Otzelberger’s team as a freshman and ranked in the top three of the Big 12 in both assists and steals. Hunter won Big 12 Freshman of the Year honors, edging out Baylor duo Jeremy Sochan and Kendall Brown.
Hunter originally committed to the state of Iowa in August 2020 while Steve Prohm was at the helm of the Cyclones. He reaffirmed his commitment after Otzelberger’s appointment in spring 2021.