The No. 2-seed Iowa State Cyclones began their reign for the NCAA Division I National Championship on Friday as they beat head coach Nolan Smith and the No. 15 Tennessee State Tigers 108-74.
Just over two minutes into the game, Iowa State senior forward Joshua Jefferson came down on a layup attempt and twisted his ankle. The Cyclone’s second-leading scorer, and arguably the most valuable player this season, needed assistance getting off the court.
He was unable to put weight on the injured ankle. Jefferson was taken back to the locker room for further X-rays, which came back negative, and is wearing a boot on the left leg. The senior has been labeled as out for the remainder of the first-round game.
Des Moines Register’s Travis Hine reported after the game that Joshua Jefferson is listed as doubtful for Sunday’s Round of 32 game against No. 7 Kentucky.
Joshua Jefferson’s Impact on Iowa State
Joshua Jefferson is in his second season with the Cyclones after transferring from St. Mary’s after the 2023-24 season. In joining one of the powerhouses of the Big 12 conference, Jefferson made an immediate impact with the team, averaging 13.0 points, 7.4 rebounds, 3.1 assists, and 2.1 steals per game in 2024-25.
The 6-foot-9, 240-pound forward would then come into the 2025-26 season with more to prove after losing to Ole Miss in the Second Round of the NCAA Tournament.
In 2025-26, Jefferson is second on the team in both points per game (16.9) and assists per game (4.9) while being the leader in rebounds per game (7.6). He’s also recorded seven double-doubles and two triple-doubles in 2025-26.
Jefferson’s notable performances this season includes a 17-point, 10-rebound, and 12-assist triple-double in the Cyclones’ 87-57 win over UCF on Jan. 20. More recently, Jefferson finished with 18 points, 13 rebounds, and six assists while shooting 8-13 from the field in Iowa State’s 22-point win over Texas Tech in the Big 12 Tournament quarterfinal on March 12.
Jefferson spoke with On3 Sports’ Bill Seals after the Round of 64 win, saying, “I think if I can get up and down the floor and do what I need to do, I think I’ll be good to play.”
“I think that’s what puts me in my best interest, but also the team if I’m out there.”
Iowa State’s T.J. Otzelberger Speaks on Joshua Jefferson Injury
Iowa State head coach T.J. Otzelberger spoke with CBS on losing the team’s top player early in the game.
“I think for our team, you know, Joshua’s such a huge part of everything that we do,” Otzelberger said. “So we have a more guard oriented attack when he’s not out there. So we’re trying to space the floor more — drive it.”
T.J. Otzelberger may have to go deeper into the roster than the usual eight-man rotation the Cyclones run at a consistent basis.
Multiple players will have to step up in the absence of Joshua Jefferson. Milan Momcilovic, who is Iowa State’s leading scorer this season, will be relied on much more heavily if Jefferson has to miss an extended period of time.
Tamin Lipsey, who’s the only other player that averages over 10.0 points a game for Iowa State this season, will also be a player that the Cyclones will have to lean on down the stretch.
Junior forward Blake Buchanan is the second-leading rebounder on the Cyclones this season and will be another option for the Cyclones.
If Iowa State is able to hold off Tennessee State and move on to the second round, they will play No. 7 Kentucky on Sunday.
It’s safe to say that if Joshua Jefferson is unable to play for Iowa State moving forward, their chances at a national championship will take a significant dip moving forward.
Iowa State’s Joshua Jefferson Suffers Injury in First Round of NCAA Tournament