Iowa State star Tamin Lipsey “cherishes every moment” as senior season nears

AMES — Tamin Lipsey’s one of 16 Iowa State players who have competed in three different NCAA Tournaments. The record-setting Cyclone guard’s battled through mettle-testing injuries on multiple occasions to get there, rolling and wincing through the painful bumps, bruises and breaks until he’s told he must shut it down — for a while anyway.

Simply put, when Lipsey breaks down, he builds back better every single time.

Always.

But nothing lasts forever, and the lifelong Cyclone fan turned program standard-bearer finds it a bit jarring that he’s preparing for his final season in cardinal and gold.

“Yeah,” said Lipsey, who broke Monte Morris’ all-time steals record at ISU last season. “It hits me every once in a while. It’s a crazy feeling. I feel like I’m still a freshman and those three years that have already gone by have gone by so quick.”

It’s been a grueling four-year journey for the 6-1 Lipsey, who underwent shoulder surgery last offseason and successfully rehabilitated groin and thumb injuries this offseason.

“Just took some time to let my body heal on its own,” he said. “I didn’t really do much and after that I got back in with (head athletic trainer) Vic (Miller) and just focused on strengthening my groin. It was obviously bothering me late in the season and there thumb was basically half the season, but it got better throughout the year and I feel like it’s good. They said no surgery or anything.”

That last word — anything — aptly describes Lipsey’s commitment to head coach T.J. Otzelberger’s Cyclone program. Ready or not has been a rallying cry for the former Ames High star who was thrust into the starting lineup as a true freshman when then-point guard Tyrese Hunter unexpectedly bolted to Texas.

“I had the ball a lot,” said Lipsey, who after hitting just 20 percent of his 3-point shots as a freshman has drained 36 percent from long range in the past two seasons despite the myriad injuries. “Obviously, it was tough also being a freshman and having to handle the ball and bringing it up the court and all of that, but I feel like I play my best when I can sort of run the team and be a quarterback out there for us. I’m excited for that.”

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Lipsey’s ability to shine at the point and off the ball make him invaluable again this season, as elite shotmakers Curtis Jones and Keshon Gilbert begin chasing their professional basketball dreams. Their departure — along with transfer Mason Williams’ injury — will allow Lipsey to further flash his quarterbacking skills, and they’ll serve as a critical hinge point for what could be another 20-plus win season.

“Tamin’s demonstrated when he’s healthy that he made (almost) 40 percent from (long range),” Otzelberger said. “He’ll continue to be consistent. He’s consistent every single day. Even last year he found a way to make some, you know, with a broken this or that, or everything going on — he still found a way to will a good percentage in. But he’ll shoot the ball great.”

Shooting’s one thing. Leadership’s another. Lipsey’s excelled in the latter area since day 1 as a freshman, and will continue to lean into that role as the countdown toward his senior season continues.

“I cherish every moment,” the Ames native said. “Really happy to be here for another year and see what we can do.”

It took a while, but 6-11 forward Dominykas Pleta has finally joined the Iowa State men’s basketball team.

Cyclone head coach T.J. Otzelberger said last that the 6-10, 225-pound German was still waiting for his visa, but on Wednesday, the team’s social media account showed the 20-year-old sophomore on the court. Pleta, who will turn 21 in October, retains four seasons of eligibility.

ISU got more good news Wednesday afternoon when Class of 2026 guard Marcus Zelee announced his commitment to the program. Zelee, a 6-3, 187-pounder from Austin, Texas also held offers from Arizona State, Drake and Texas A&M Corpus Christi.

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