Fran McCaffery and Iowa got their 2026 recruiting class started in a big way this week. The Hawkeyes landed an in-state commitment from 6’3” guard Navon Shabazz. Last year he attended Davenport Assumption High School where he won a state championship and then made the move to Iowa United Prep for his junior season.
The commitment comes after Shabazz visited Iowa this past weekend. He then quickly pulled the trigger on his college selection announcing his commitment on Monday. Iowa had initially offered a scholarship to Shabazz back in February of this year.
The commitment marks a major coup for the Hawkeyes beating out in-state rival Iowa State for the highly touted junior. As well to the offers from Iowa and Iowa State, another high major program to have offered him is Wake Forest in addition to some mid-major offers.
To start off the grassroots season back in April, Shabazz shined at the NY2LA Swish ‘N Dish tournament. This included hitting two jump shots in the final thirty seconds of one game including the game winner in a one-point victory while playing with Martin Brothers. He continued to excel from there during the spring while playing with the Meanstreets and then during the summer with Iowa United. Shabazz is one of the top two-way guards in the nations 2026 class. He is a tough downhill attacking guard with good strength and vision in addition to his on ball defensive play.