The Iowa State Cyclones men’s basketball team is still a few months away from beginning the 2026-27 season, but they are going to start the season in a tough spot.
Sophomore guard Killyan Toure, who is expected to be a major part of the team’s game plan in Year 2 in Ames, is going to be sidelined for a significant amount of time after having to undergo shoulder surgery. He isn’t expected back until January, which means missing about half of his sophomore year.
In his absence, head coach T.J. Otzelberger is going to turn to other players to pick up the slack. It will take a complete team effort to replicate what Toure brings to the team, but others will be counted on a little more.
Here are three players the team needs to step up the most in Toure’s absence.
Jaquan Johnson
Iowa State’s Jaquan Johnson talks to media during the men’s basketball media availability at the university’s Sukup Basketball complex on July 28, 2026, in Ames, Iowa | USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
A transfer from the Bradley Braves, Jaquan Johnson was viewed by many people as the replacement for Tamin Lipsey. He was expected to start alongside Toure, but he will now likely assume the lead-guard role and be the point-of-attack defender.
The reigning Missouri Valley Conference Defensive Player of the Year, Johnson certainly has the skills to lead the team on that end of the court. He will be counted on to set the tone for the Cyclones now that Toure, who is already an established high-major defender, is sidelined.
More of the ball-handling and playmaking ability will fall on his shoulders as long as Toure is sidelined.
Jamarion Batemon
Mar 22, 2026; St. Louis, MO, USA; Iowa State Cyclones guard Jamarion Batemon (1) celebrates after a play during the second half against the Kentucky Wildcats during a second round game of the men’s 2026 NCAA Tournament at Enterprise Center. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Le-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect
Part of the Class of 2025 along with Toure, Jamarion Batemon saw his role expand as his freshman year progressed. He got more and more comfortable coming off the team’s bench and bought into the game plan.
He was already in line for an expanded role as one of the players who would be counted on to replace the 3-point shooting of Milan Momcilovic. Now, he could be tasked with a little more of the point guard duties alongside Johnson.
Batemon looked capable of being a multi-positional defender, defending wings as well as backcourt players. With Toure sidelined for a few months, Batemon could garner more assignments on opposing guards to help compensate for his loss.
Ryan Prather Jr.
Nov 4, 2025; Iowa City, Iowa, USA; Robert Morris Colonials guard Ryan Prather Jr. (2) goes to the basket as Iowa Hawkeyes guard Bennett Stirtz (14) defends during the first half at Carver-Hawkeye Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect
A transfer from the Robert Morris Colonias, Ryan Prather Jr. brings with him elite ball security and a steady hand as a playmaker. He is going to be counted on even more with Toure sidelined and could be who head coach T.J. Otzelberger tabs as the replacement in the starting five.
Prather is an excellent offensive contributor, but his defensive impact was lacking with Robert Morris. Normally, defense is what gets players on the court for Otzelberger, but he could make an exception this time to get another ball-handler and playmaker in the lineup.
Prather may not have the defensive ability of Toure, but he would provide more size in the backcourt, measuring in at 6-foot-5.
Add us as a preferred source on GoogleFollow