Top 10 Iowa Hawkeye Men’s Basketball Players of All-Time

The Iowa Hawkeyes have a long and storied Basketball history. No, they have zero National champions, but make no mistake, the men on this list are legends.

10. Chris Street (1990-93)

Chris Street’s time with Iowa Basketball in the early 1990s was tragically cut short, but his legacy as an exceptional athlete and fierce competitor endures today. Renowned for his physicality and determined play, Street was a relentless rebounder and a tenacious defender. His contributions extended to the offensive end, where he demonstrated a soft touch around the rim and a gritty determination that inspired his teammates. Although he could not reach his full potential due to his untimely passing, Street remains a beloved figure and an inspiration to the Iowa Basketball community.

40 forever: The story of Iowa basketball legend Chris Street

9. Bob Hanson (1979-83)

Bob Hansen became known for his heart and determination during his time with Iowa Basketball. As a tough defender and dedicated rebounder, Hansen gave everything he had on the court for the Hawkeyes. Offensively, he could stretch the floor with his jump shot while maintaining a deliberate and composed approach. Hansen’s strong work ethic and commitment to his craft made him a model of the program’s values and a fan favorite during his time in Iowa City.

#6 Iowa Hawkeyes vs Ohio State Buckeyes Full Game – College Basketball @ Iowa Field House 1/30/1982

8. Greg Stokes (1981-85)

The 1980s produced some of the best talent to walk the campus of Iowa. Greg Stokes spent four years with the Hawkeyes, rising to prominence as a starter during his junior year in 1983. He became a key player, averaging 36 minutes per game in his junior and senior seasons. During those years, Stokes emerged as a scoring powerhouse. In his junior season, he averaged 14.9 points per game, 6.9 rebounds and 2.1 blocks. He elevated his performance in his senior year, averaging 19.9 points and 8.4 rebounds per game, capping off a strong collegiate career before moving on to the NBA. Stokes is currently the fourth all-time leading scorer in Iowa’s history, with 1,768 points. Following an impressive senior season that earned him All-Big Ten honors, he was selected by the Philadelphia 76ers in the 1985 NBA Draft.

#7 Iowa Hawkeyes vs USC Trojans – Lute Olson – Iowa Field House 12/11/1982 – Gerry Wright pre-Iowa

7. Don Nelson (1959-62)

Don Nelson is perhaps best known as a long-time basketball coach, having held positions with the Dallas Mavericks, Golden State Warriors, New York Knicks, and Milwaukee Bucks. However, it’s important to remember that he was a standout player at Iowa before his coaching career began. Nelson made the varsity team when very few freshmen achieved this feat. He became a prolific scorer at Iowa, averaging over 23 points per game during his junior and senior years. Throughout his college career, Nelson faced future Hall of Famers such as Jerry Lucas and John Havlicek from Ohio State, Walt Bellamy from Indiana, and future NBA All-Stars like Terry Dischinger from Purdue. By the time he left the program, Nelson had amassed 1,522 points, making him the all-time leading scorer in Iowa’s basketball history at the time he was done playing for the program.

Don Nelson of Iowa (1962)

6. Roy Marble (1985-89)

Roy Marble, the former all-time leading scorer in program history for nearly three decades, deserves a spot on this list. Marble was a key contributor to the 1989 Iowa Hawkeyes team, which featured multiple future NBA talents. During that season, he averaged over 20 points per game. Additionally, he played a significant role in the Hawkeyes’ title run during the 1986-87 season, averaging 14.9 points per game. The highly regarded guard eventually made his way to the NBA, selected with the 23rd pick in the 1989 NBA Draft by the Atlanta Hawks.

Roy Marble 1989 Senior Tribute Video

5. John Johnson (1968-70)

Johnson began his career at Northwest College in Wyoming before transferring to the University of Iowa. During his time with the Hawkeyes, he established himself as one of the most prolific scorers in the program’s history. He set the single season record for points, averaging 27.9 points per game. Additionally, he achieved the top two scoring performances in Hawkeye history, with 49 and 46 points, respectively. Throughout his years at Iowa, Johnson led the team in scoring and rebounding, ultimately becoming the 7th overall pick in the 1970 NBA Draft. John Johnson is undoubtedly among the most famous former Iowa Hawkeyes basketball players.

John Johnson (16pts/7asts/Point Forward) vs. Suns (1979)

4. B.J. Armstrong (1985-89)

BJ Armstrong Jr. was a standout player on the fabulous teams of the 1980s, serving as a key counterpart to Roy Marble and other future NBA stars from those squads. Armstrong showcased his versatility on the court during his four years at Iowa, averaging over 18 points and five assists per game. He still ranks seventh all-time in assists (518) and points (1,705), highlighting his all-around offensive skills. Like many players from the 1989 team, Armstrong was selected 18th overall by the Chicago Bulls, where he had the opportunity to play alongside legends Michael Jordan and Scottie Pippen.

1989 Hawkeye Basketball Special highlighting BJ Armstrong, Roy Marble and Ed Horton

3. Fred Brown (1969-71)

Fred Brown had a brief playing career with the Hawkeyes, lasting just two years, but he was among the best scorers in Iowa basketball history. The talented guard averaged 22.7 points per game over his 48 games with the Hawkeyes. In his senior year, Brown emerged as one of the top playmakers in college basketball, finishing with an impressive average of 27.6 points per game. His performance during the 1970-71 season earned him a spot on the AP All-American third team. Brown’s achievements at Iowa made him a highly regarded prospect in the 1971 NBA Draft, where he was selected as the No. 6 pick by the Seattle Supersonics. Brown went on to help the Supersonics to back-to-back NBA Finals and a World Championship.

Fred Brown : Downtown Freddie Brown Was The Original Deep Ranged Threat

2. Luke Garza (2017-21)

The dominant big man was undoubtedly the best big man to ever go through the program. After nearly averaging a double-double in his junior year, Garza elevated his game to another level in his final season with the Hawkeyes. He capped off his incredible collegiate career as the all-time leading scorer in program history, with 2,306 points, while also averaging 24.1 points and 8.7 rebounds per game. Garza accumulated numerous awards, including the Naismith Award and the AP Player of the Year, during his senior season.

Luka Garza 2019-20 Full SZN Highlights I NATIONAL PLAYER OF THE YEAR I BEAST!!

1. Ronnie Lester (1976-80)

Lester may have the best resumes among all-time Iowa Hawkeyes basketball players. The former two-time All-Big Ten guard was a key player for his team in the late 1970s, averaging 16.9 points and 4.8 assists per game over his four collegiate seasons. He ranks ninth in all-time scoring with 1,765 points and seventh in assists with 480. Additionally, Lester was part of the team’s historic Final Four run during the 1979-80 season. Lester also made it to the professional level, as he was selected tenth overall by the Portland Trail Blazers in the 1980 NBA Draft. If not for an injury in the 1980 Final Four loss to UCLA I believe the Hawkeyes would have won the National Championship, Lester was that good.

Iowa Hawkeyes vs Illinois Fighting Illini – Big Ten Basketball on March 1, 1980 – Ronnie Lester Day