​HOUSTON, TEXAS – MARCH 25: Peyton McCollum #5 of the Iowa Hawkeyes in action during the Sweet Sixteen Practice Day at Toyota Center on March 25, 2026 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Kenneth Richmond/Getty Images) | Getty Images We’re getting closer and closer to the college basketball season! Next up in our countdown is Ben McCollum’s wife’s favorite player: Peyton McCollum!#5 – Peyton McCollum, G, 6’2” 190 lbs2nd year; Maryville, MO; Waukee Northwest2025-26: Injury redshirtMcCollum was one of four freshman to join Ben McCollum’s first high school recruiting class, alongside Trevin Jirak, Tate Sage, and Trey Thompson. He is, of course, the son of head coach Ben McCollum.McCollum was scored over 1000 points during his time in Maryville before he followed his father to the Des Moines area when he took the drake job. In his senior season for Waukee Northwest, he averaged 13 points and 5 assists on a team which fell to Jirak’s Valley squad in the state final.The elephant in the room is, of course, his relation to McCollum. Fairly or not, Peyton’s time at Iowa is going to be compared to previous iterations of black-and-gold nepotism. Connor & Patrick McCaffery; Brian Ferentz.McCollum does not have the recruiting accolades of the McCafferys and figured to be a deep bench piece for this team. My ears were perked when he was the first of two subs off the bench, alongside fellow guard Ty’reek Coleman. Honestly, he looked pretty good. There’s a case to make he’s as strong a shooter as exists on this team with his very quick release.Some of that is definitely competition-based. Perhaps Ben was thinking Tuesday night might be one of a few times Peyton might be able to see the court and the younger McCollum took advantage. But if it’s deeper and we do see more of him, I trust that it’s because Peyton has met the high standards of Coach McCollum. There’s a path for sons of coaches making an impact without being a team’s best player. Connor & Pat had their moments of course but perhaps the best example is Sam Hoiberg over the last few years with Nebraska. Constant hustle and heady play will be key for McCollum if he sees the floor.