5 days till Iowa Hoops: Peyton McCollum

As the college basketball season approaches, attention turns to one player in particular: Peyton McCollum. #5 on the Iowa Hawkeyes roster, this young guard stands at 6'2" and weighs 190 lbs. Fresh off his senior season at Waukee Northwest, where he averaged 13 points and 5 assists, Peyton's connection to his father, head coach Ben McCollum, is inevitable but not necessarily a barrier to his success.

Peyton spent two years at Maryville before joining his father in the Des Moines area, redshirting his freshman year. Despite being one of four freshmen to join Ben's first high school recruiting class, he is viewed as more of a utility player rather than a star attraction. However, McCollum's quick release and shooting ability have caught the attention of some analysts, who believe he could be a significant contributor.

The challenge for Peyton, like his brothers Connor and Patrick who played for Iowa in the past, will be to meet the high expectations set by his father. Yet, the coach's track record of developing successful sons of coaches, most notably in Nebraska with Sam Hoiberg, suggests that McCollum has the potential to make an impact. Success will likely come down to his hustle and skillful play, proving that a player can shine even when overshadowed by their famous father.