Iowa men's basketball player Dasonte Bowen enters transfer portal

Des Moines Register

Dasonte Bowen began this men's basketball season as Iowa's starting point guard. The sophomore is leaving it by entering the NCAA transfer portal. The University of Iowa confirmed the news Wednesday afternoon.

Bowen's role gradually diminished for the Hawkeyes, and he hasn't played since a Feb. 14 game at Maryland. Head coach Fran McCaffery shared a few weeks later that Bowen wasn't playing because he had suffered a season-ending knee injury.

Bowen, a 6-foot-2 guard from the Boston area, showed a lot of quickness in his time with the Hawkeyes. He registered a career-high 17 points on Nov. 17 against Arkansas State but lost his starting job after scoring three points in a Dec. 4 loss at Purdue.

Bowen left a message on social media later Wednesday.

“I am grateful for the past two years at the University of Iowa and for the relationships that I have built with my coaches and teammates,” Bowen said. “The memories will last for a lifetime. Moving forward, I have to do what is best for me and my future.”

Bowen averaged 3.7 points in 51 career games at Iowa (nine starts) and this season posted a solid assist-to-turnover ratio of 49 to 16. However, he scored a total of seven points in the final 10 games he played.

Sophomore Josh Dix and freshman Owen Freeman ultimately powered their way into Iowa's starting lineup with strong and consistent performances, with Dix becoming a primary ball-handler and consistently putting up 30 minutes a game. Additionally, true freshman Brock Harding has emerged as McCaffery's top backup point guard (usually giving Tony Perkins a breather) and looks to have a bright future.

Bowen, understandably, felt seeking a new home would be in his best interest.

Iowa guard Dasonte Bowen will depart the program. He hasn't played since Feb. 14 after suffering a knee injury.

Bowen will have two years of eligibility remaining at his next school. Iowa (19-14) is coming off a 91-82 win against Kansas State in the first round of the NIT. Up next: A second-round game at Utah (20-14) at 8 p.m. CT in Salt Lake City. KenPom.com projects a four-point Utah win.