Ex-Iowa City West player Even Brauns transfers to Iowa men’s basketball team

Brauns, a power forward, started 30 games last season for Belmont of the Missouri Valley Conference

May. 8, 2023 2:28 pm, Updated: May. 8, 2023 3:50 pm

Belmont center Even Brauns, center, shoots over Murray State forward KJ Williams, left, and forward DJ Burns (55) during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game in Murray, Ky., Thursday, Feb. 24, 2022. (AP Photo/Timothy D. Easley)

Even Brauns is returning to Iowa City, as a scholarship player for the Iowa men’s basketball team.

Brauns is a 6-foot-9, 240-pound power forward who spent the last three seasons playing for Belmont. He started 30 games last season for the 21-11 Bruins, averaging 7.0 points, 5.3 rebounds and 21.2 minutes.

He will have two seasons of eligibility remaining.

He had 18 points and 12 rebounds in a February game against Illinois State, and blocked seven shots against Murray State in January. He had 42 blocks last season.

“Getting the opportunity to come home and play for the Hawkeyes is one of the proudest moments of my life,” Brauns said in a UI news release.

“I am excited to play with my new teammates because there is a lot of opportunity for new faces to emerge in larger roles this year.”

Brauns is the second Missouri Valley Conference player to join Iowa out of the NCAA transfer portal. Senior forward Ben Krikke went from Valparaiso to Iowa last month.

At Iowa City West, Brauns was a four-year letter-winner who was an all-state selection in 2020 after averaging 15.6 points in his senior season. He was a teammate of Hawkeye senior-to-be Patrick McCaffery at West.

“We are excited to have Even back home,” Iowa Coach Fran McCaffery said. “He was a terrific player at West High School and had an excellent career at Belmont. Even will be a great fit for our program.”

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Iowa has one more scholarship available for 2023-24 should it want to use it. It has six returning scholarship players, the two transfers, and four incoming freshmen.

“I’m mature enough to know my role and know what is expected of me,” Brauns said. “I think from the coaches side, it’s for me to come in and be a solid role player, something I feel very comfortable doing. I’m mature, understand what it’s like to play in college. Three years is a long time doing it. On and off the court, I think I can bring maturity to guys that need it. I’m not going to do anything dumb, not going to get into trouble, can be there for guys who need it.

“A lot of new faces this year, and I think people are going to be pleasantly surprised by the production they are going to get from different players.”

Comments: (319) 398-8440; mike.hlas@thegazette.com