In a significant development for Iowa basketball, five-star power forward Bentley Lusakueno has announced an official visit to the university scheduled for September 25. This visit marks a key moment in the recruitment of one of the most elite prospects in the 2028 class, as reported by 247Sports' Dushawn London.
Lusakueno, standing at 6 feet 10 inches and weighing 205 pounds, is not only considering Iowa. He has also lined up official visits to Tennessee on September 5, Vanderbilt on September 12, and Illinois on September 19. This series of visits highlights the growing interest from top-tier programs, reflecting the impact that head coach Ben McCollum is having on the Hawkeyes' recruitment strategy.
The Iowa coaching staff extended an offer to Lusakueno in early July after observing his performance on the Nike EYBL circuit, where he played with Team CP3. His impressive play has garnered attention, and he is currently ranked as the No. 6 player nationally by 247Sports, as well as the No. 3 power forward in the country. Additionally, he is recognized as a five-star recruit by ESPN, while Rivals rates him as a four-star prospect and the No. 10 player overall.
Recently, Lusakueno made headlines by announcing his transfer to IMG Academy, a move that is expected to further enhance his development and visibility in the competitive landscape of high school basketball. During his sophomore season at Woodward Academy, he averaged 15.1 points, 6.4 rebounds, 1.7 assists, and 1.9 blocks per game. His shooting statistics were also noteworthy, with a field goal percentage of 49%, a three-point shooting percentage of 39%, and a free-throw percentage of 76%, according to MaxPreps.
In addition to his impressive high school stats, Lusakueno has represented the United States on the international stage. He was a member of the 2025 USA Men’s U16 National Team and has recently been named a finalist for the 2026 USA Men’s U17 National Team. This experience not only showcases his talent but also his potential to compete at the highest levels of basketball.
As Lusakueno prepares for his visit to Iowa, the Hawkeyes are looking to solidify their position in his recruitment. With a growing reputation under Coach McCollum, the program is eager to attract top talent like Lusakueno, which could significantly influence their future success in college basketball.
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