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Iowa basketball’s Ben McCollum can hoop! The 44-year-old coach put his talents on full display while battling against NFL star and former Hawkeye Cooper DeJean.
McCollum showed shiftiness and some deadly range while going head-to-head with a professional athlete. He received DeJean’s praise after the fact.
Ben McCollum is entering Year 1 in Iowa City after spending one season as Drake. In that lone campaign, he led the Bulldogs to the NCAA Tournament where they reached the Round of 32.
The head coach played college ball at both North Iowa Community College and Northwest Missouri State, whom he helped reach their first ever Elite Eight. He moved onto coaching after graduation and has quickly ascended the ranks.
After just one year as a D1 head coach, he’s landed a gig in the Big 10. He’ll now look to lead the Hawkeyes to the Big Dance in 2025-26.
Ben McCollum hooped against Cooper DeJean.
School is currently out for the summer at Iowa. McCollum is enjoying his downtime on campus. This week, the school posted a clip of him squaring off against Philadelphia Eagles star Cooper DeJean, a hooper in his own right.
DeJean went viral earlier this year for stealing the show at an Eagles’ offseason basketball competition. The cornerback has insane hops and will throw down a vicious dunk on anyone standing in his way.
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As a high schooler, Cooper DeJean shined on the basketball court. He says he wanted to hoop at Iowa, but it didn’t work out. That wasn’t for a lack of confidence.
He’s been heard saying he could take down fellow Hawkeye Caitlin Clark. It’s something he’s doubled and tripled down on upon receiving backlash.
DeJean found a worth adversary in Ben McCollum. Despite being twice the NFL star’s age, McCollum held his own!
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Cooper DeJean can hoop. Ben McCollum was absolutely able to keep pace with the superstar football player, even at 44 years of age. Watching the duo compete was must-see TV!
McCollum had already won the Hawkeyes over given his Iowa roots. He earned a little more respect this week.