Iowa State basketball lands Bradley guard Jaquan Johnson from transfer portal

Following a big breakout year at Bradley, point guard Jaquan Johnson is making the jump to the power-conference level and the Big 12.

The Milwaukee native announced his commitment on Saturday, April 11, during a scheduled weekend visit to Ames. He is the third transfer portal acquisition for the Cyclones, following after Northern Iowa guard Leon Bond III and Kansas State forward Taj Manning. Johnson will head to Iowa State with two years of eligibility remaining.

The 5-foot-11, 195-pound point guard is coming off of his best season yet. In his first season a full-time starter, he averaged 16.9 points, 3.9 rebounds, 3.6 assists and 2.5 steals per game, while shooting 42.3% overall and 38.3% from deep.

As a result of his productive, breakout year, he raked in numerous conference accolades, landing on the All-Missouri Valley Conference first team. He was also selected to the All-MVC Defensive Team and Most-Improved Team. He was also crowned as the Missouri Valley Conference defensive player of the year.

He became the first Bradley player in more than three decades to record at least three 30-point games in a single season. He also tied the program's single-game steal record, when he recorded nine steals in a 78-67 loss to UT-Martin on Nov. 12, 2025.

His best showing came in a 94-90 overtime win at Evanston on Jan. 13. He recorded 35 points, five boards, seven assists and six steals in 35 minutes of turnover-free action.

He had the 10th highest steal rate in the country, according to KenPom. He also excels at getting to the free-throw line and doesn't shy away from contact. He shot 78.4% from the free-throw line.

While his 5-foot-11 frame will raise some questions from skeptics as he transitions to a power-conference level, Johnson has made up for the seeming lack of size with a tenacious outlook on both ends of the court.

Nicknamed "Bully," Johnson proved to be a valued two-way player for the Braves since arriving as a freshman. He regularly saw playing time as a first-year player in the rotation in the 2024-25 season, appearing in 37 games and averaging 6.6 points, 2.4 assists and 1.5 steals per game. He broke the program record for steals in a freshman season and recorded 57 steals as a bench player. He elevated his play to a higher level as he assumed a much bigger role this past season.

Johnson will help the Cyclones replenish the roster after graduations by Tamin Lipsey, Joshua Jefferson, Nate Heise, Dominick Nelson and Eric Mulder. Guards Cade Kelderman and Mason Williams also departed for the transfer portal since it first opened on April 7.

The Bradley transfer also gives Iowa State another playmaker alongside Killyan Toure. The Cyclones are also expected to return Jamarion Batemon in the backcourt. They will also welcome freshmen guards Christian Wiggins and Yusef Gray Jr.

Eugene Rapay covers Iowa State athletics for the Des Moines Register. Contact Eugene at [email protected]. Follow him on Twitter at @erapay5.