Upper Iowa men's basketball welcomes five new faces to the program for next season under Head Coach Brooks McKowen. The quintuple of newcomers all hail from Northeast Iowa, four of which are incoming freshmen and one a redshirt freshman transfer. 
 
"We are thrilled to welcome our incoming class! This dynamic group of five local Northeast Iowa talents will add great depth to our roster," said McKowen. "This group knows what it takes to win and loves to compete. We can't wait to have them on campus and get started!"
 
Jack Miller comes to Fayette from Jesup High School, where he leaves his legacy as the all-time leading scorer after netting 1,768 points in his career. Miller was a four-year starter under Head Coach Joe Smeins. He departs as a four-time all-conference member, three-time all-substate honoree and a two-time all-state recipient. In addition to his basketball accolades, Miller received all-state recognition in track and field and golf. His high school career was highlighted in a game versus North Tama, where he notched 50 points and went 8/13 beyond the arc. 
 
Jack's a multi-sport standout who elevates everyone around him on the court," noted McKowen. "He's a true playmaker and led his team in nearly every statistical category this past season. He's got scoring in his DNA, with an arsenal of moves and great range. We're excited to see him continue his winning ways here!"
 
Ty Pflughaupt graduated from North Linn after aiding the Lynx to a four-time conference championship. The team was state runner-up in 2020-21 and 2022-23 while capturing the 1A state title in 2021-22 and 2023-24. Pflughaupt was a unanimous First Team honoree in the Tri Rivers Conference for his junior and senior years, while notching Second Team All-State honors his junior season and First Team All-State as a senior. He capped off his career as the 1A Player of the Year and will shortly be reunited with former high school teammate Austin Hilmer, who enters his third season as a Peacock. 
 
"Ty's a high-motor, athletic wing with a relentless work ethic," said McKowen. "He's a constant force on the court, improving every year. Coming from a program known for excellence, he thrives under high expectations. We're excited to see his continued growth and what he can achieve here."
 
Joe Bean Jr. comes to Fayette from Cedar Rapids, Iowa, where he attended Cedar Rapids Kennedy High School. He helped Cedar Rapids Xavier reach the Class 3A state championship as a junior and later was listed on the All-Tournament Team and named First Team All-State. In his career, Bean was a two-time All-Tournament Team selection, and two-time All-State selection and was listed on the MVC First Team All-Conference on three different occasions. 
 
"Joe's a three-level scoring threat with a knack for the game," mentioned McKowen. "He anticipates plays brilliantly and hails from a winning program, so he's no stranger to competition. Get ready for Joe to make an impact!"
 
Trey Kriener was a South Winneshiek graduate and attended Kirkwood Community College for his first collegiate season. He participated in a program that went 25-6 overall and 14-4 in the Iowa Community College Athletic Conference. Kriener appeared in 25 games with the Eagles, making five starts. He averaged 50% shooting from the field and nabbed 3.1 rebounds per game. His season-high came against Northeast Community College, where he went 5-6 from the floor and netted 12 points. 
 
"A proven force in the paint, Trey adds some great size and physicality to our front court," noted McKowen. "He's relentlessly dedicated to improvement, and his toughness and grit will be a valuable asset. We're excited to see Trey make an impact here!"
 
Nolan Cushion originates from Randalia, Iowa, where he attended West Central High School. He was an Honorable Mention All-Conference selection senior year and was named the team MVP. Cushion was a three-sport athlete in high school. Upon graduation, he received the US Marine Corps Distinguished Athlete Award.
 
"Nolan is a local talent that has bled Peacock Blue his whole life!" said McKowen. "Growing up around our program, he understands our expectations like no other. This physical, tenacious teammate thrives on competition. We're thrilled to welcome Nolan to the family."