Tre Singleton has quickly become the player Iowa State leans on, and the sophomore transfer from Northwestern is making the move to Ames look like one of the smartest additions of the offseason. According to Sports Illustrated, the 6-foot-8 forward has completely transformed his game since joining the Cyclones and now stands out as the team's best player.
Iowa State brought in five transfers during the offseason, including Jaquan Johnson from Bradley, Taj Manning from Kansas State, Ryan Prather Jr. from Robert Morris, Leon Bond III from Northern Iowa, and Singleton from Northwestern. Few expected Singleton, who averaged 7.6 points and 4.8 rebounds per game as a freshman on a struggling Northwestern team, to step forward as a star so fast. That is exactly what has happened.
From steady freshman to standout sophomore
Singleton's rise started quietly in the exhibition games. He did not post eye-popping numbers, but he showed a polished all-around game: playing off two feet, staying aggressive, and consistently finding the right spots on the floor. As Sports Illustrated noted, he did not have hot streaks so much as steady production whenever the Cyclones needed him.
When the regular season began, he took another step. In the opener against Memphis, Singleton finished with 11 points and 11 rebounds. The performance was largely overlooked because Iowa State lost a close one, but the double-double signaled that the Cyclones had found a reliable frontcourt weapon.
Career night against Southern Miss
The home opener against Southern Miss was the breakthrough. Singleton scored a career-high 28 points on 10-of-17 shooting, hitting a 3-pointer, pulling down nine rebounds, and adding an assist.
He also answered questions about his defense. Singleton recorded three blocks and a steal, numbers Sports Illustrated called unreal for a forward. The Yahoo Sports report on his debut highlighted the same two-way impact, noting that while the Cyclone backcourt underwhelmed on paper in the opener, the power forward position was a genuine bright spot.
The post game was the biggest revelation. Singleton showed moves down low that he had not displayed earlier in the season, and he paired that skill with a new level of physicality. He drew fouls, got easy baskets, and calmly finished plays, going 7 of 10 from the free throw line.
A unique legacy in Otzelberger's system
Singleton's fit in Ames goes beyond one big scoring night. The Gazette reported in July that the 6-foot-8 transfer draws natural comparisons to recent graduate Joshua Jefferson, though Singleton has focused on building his own identity within head coach T.J. Otzelberger's defense-oriented system.
So far, that approach is working. Singleton has been efficient with his minutes and touches, and he has rewarded the coaching staff's decision to give him a major role. Sports Illustrated wrote that he has lived up to the involvement he is getting and looks like a completely different, more dynamic player than he was at Northwestern.
What's next for the Cyclones
Iowa State hosts the Southern Jaguars on Tuesday night, where Singleton will have another chance to prove he belongs among the team's most important players. For a Cyclones squad that added five new faces through the transfer portal, having a go-to scorer emerge this early is a significant development for the non-conference schedule and the Big 12 season ahead.
FAQ
Who is Tre Singleton?
Tre Singleton is a 6-foot-8 sophomore forward who transferred to Iowa State from Northwestern, where he averaged 7.6 points and 4.8 rebounds per game as a freshman.
How did Tre Singleton perform against Southern Miss?
He scored a career-high 28 points on 10-of-17 shooting, with nine rebounds, three blocks, an assist, and a steal in Iowa State's home opener.
When is Iowa State's next game?
The Cyclones host the Southern Jaguars on Tuesday night, with Singleton looking to build on his strong start to the season.