Prior to Iowa basketball’s (14-12, 5-10 Big Ten) Saturday night clash vs. Washington (13-13, 4-11) from Carver-Hawkeye Arena, midseason transfer forward Isaiah Johnson-Arigu spoke to the media on what the past few months of his whirlwind college career has felt like.
Johnson-Arigu had originally committed and played sparingly as a freshman for the Miami Hurricanes this season but elected to enter the NCAA’s midseason transfer portal following the abrupt retirement of Hurricane’s head coach Jim Larrañaga, where he eventually decided to recommit to the Hawkeyes.
When asked about how he has viewed the wild course of events that have transpired over the past few months, Johnson-Arigu said that it’s been a bit crazy, but the coaching staff at Iowa have made the transition to the Hawkeyes very smooth.
“I don’t even know how to explain, to be honest,” Johnson-Arigu replied.
“Adjusting to college basketball and then adjusting to the Miami culture is already crazy enough. And then the coach [Jim Larrañaga] leaving and then coming midseason [to Iowa]. It’s all been a crazy eight months, but Fran [McCaffery] and the guys have made it really, really easy to transition.”
Isaiah Johnson-Arigu on what the last few months have been like: “I don’t even know how to explain, to be honest. Adjusting to college basketball and then adjusting to the Miami culture is already crazy enough. And then (coach Jim Larrañaga) leaving. And then coming midseason (to… pic.twitter.com/NKAiYYHW6q
— Tyler Tachman (@Tyler_T15) February 21, 2025
Due to NCAA regulations regarding those who commit via the midseason transfer portal, Johnson-Arigu is barred from playing during the current Hawkeyes’ campaign but will have three years of eligibility left starting next fall.
Iowa will certainly need Johnson-Arigu’s talents next season as the Hawkeyes will be in search of another reliable scoring option to pair alongside Owen Freeman and Josh Dix following the departure of senior forward Payton Sandfort.
Although there seems to be a budding relationship between the Hawkeyes program and Johnson-Arigu, there is some concern about whether the forward could re-enter the transfer portal if Iowa parted ways with head coach Fran McCaffery in the offseason.
While nothing concrete has surfaced suggesting a head coaching change within the Hawkeyes program, the team’s disappointing season has led many fans to speculate how much longer McCaffery will be at the helm.
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This article originally appeared on Hawkeyes Wire: Iowa transfer addition Isaiah Johnson-Arigu talks on past few months
