Joshua Jefferson - College Basketball News & Rumors

Undergoing MRI Monday Jefferson (ankle) is set to undergo an MRI on Monday, per Sam Lance of The Field of 68.

Impact Jefferson will undergo the MRI to determine the severity of the ankle injury he suffered during Friday's win over Tennessee State. If he ends up being unable to play during next week's Sweet Sixteen matchup, Jamarion Batemon, Nate Heise and Dominykas Pleta could all see increased playing time once again.

MARCH 22 • ROTOWIRE

Out for Round of 32 Jefferson (ankle) is out for Sunday's Round of 32 game with Kentucky.

Impact Jefferson, dealing with an ankle injury per the Des Moines Register, will not only log his first DNP of the 2025-26 season but also sit out what may be Iowa State's last game this campaign. ISU and Kentucky will compete in the 2026 NCAA tournament's Round of 32, not long after he suffered his ankle injury. Among the Cyclones' backups, Jamarion Batemon, Nate Heise and Dominykas Pleta are all regular-rotation members who may start in place of Jefferson, averaging 16.4 points and 7.4 rebounds across all his starts this season. If the Cyclones cannot defeat Kentucky, Jefferson's collegiate career ends, so he is hoping there is a chance it can end on his own terms.

MARCH 22 • ROTOWIRE

Is Joshua Jefferson playing vs. Kentucky? Latest injury updates, status on Iowa State forward after gruesome incident | Sporting News Will the Cyclones' star forward be able to play in the second round of March Madness?

MARCH 22 • SPORTINGNEWS.COM

Rick Barnes spurned Virginia years ago. The Cavaliers are in his way of taking Tennessee to Sweet 16

Rick Barnes will face the team that offered him a coaching job 36 years ago when he leads Tennessee against Virginia in the second round of the NCAA Tournament on Sunday

MARCH 21 • Associated Press

Iowa State Star Joshua Jefferson Unlikely To Play vs. Kentucky In NCAA Tourney

Iowa State is unlikely to have All-American Joshua Jefferson available against No. 7 seed Kentucky on Sunday in the NCAA Tournament.

MARCH 21 • FOX SPORTS

Iowa State Star Joshua Jefferson Unlikely To Play vs. Kentucky In NCAA Tourney

Officially listed as questionable Jefferson (lower body) is questionable for Sunday's game against Kentucky.

Impact The X-rays came back negative after Jefferson exited the Tournament opener against Tennessee State, and the questionable tag means he'll wait until the very last minute to decide whether he'll play. Jefferson averages 16.4 points, 7.4 rebounds, 4.8 assists and 1.6 steals per game across 35 appearances this season, so not having him would be a huge blow for the Cyclones.

MARCH 21 • ROTOWIRE

Joshua Jefferson Injury Update: Iowa State fans don't get the news they wanted There's a race against time for Iowa State and head coach T.J. Otzelberger to see if All-American big man Joshua Jefferson is going to be ab...

MARCH 21 • BUSTINGBRACKETS.COM

Iowa State and Kentucky square off in second round of NCAA Tournament

The No. 6 Iowa State Cyclones and Kentucky Wildcats play in the NCAA Tournament second round

MARCH 21 • Associated Press

Iowa State get huge news on Joshua Jefferson status for March Madness March Madness delivered several incredible moments in the opening rounds—upsets, miracles, and battles of survival. One moment, however, lef...

MARCH 20 • THEBIGLEAD.COM

Joshua Jefferson Injury: Iowa State gets best news possible with Kentucky up next Despite Iowa State posting a strong win in the first round of the NCAA Tournament, hearts dropped everywhere when All-American big man Joshu...

MARCH 20 • BUSTINGBRACKETS.COM

Joshua Jefferson injury update: Iowa State star status unknown for second round Iowa State's Joshua Jefferson took an awkward fall early against Tennessee State and was later seen on crutches.

MARCH 20 • USATODAY.COM

Iowa State loses star F Joshua Jefferson to an injury in first-round NCAA blowout of Tennessee State

Second-seeded Iowa State blew out No. 15 seed Tennessee State 108-74 on Friday after losing star forward Joshua Jefferson to an ankle injury in the opening minutes of their first-r...

MARCH 20 • Associated Press

Joshua Jefferson injury could change everything for Iowa State ahead of Kentucky showdown Iowa State’s March Madness run took a frightening turn when Joshua Jefferson went down with a leg injury, leaving major questions ahead of a...

MARCH 20 • BUSTINGBRACKETS.COM

Iowa State basketball star suffers scary leg injury Joshua Jefferson limped off the court March 20, unable to put weight on his left foot. https://twitter.com/espn/status/2035075342700880083?s...

MARCH 20 • THEBIGLEAD.COM

Joshua Jefferson injury update is bad news for Iowa State Cyclones | Sporting News This one looked really painful.

MARCH 20 • SPORTINGNEWS.COM

Iowa State All-American Joshua Jefferson sprains ankle in opening minutes of NCAA tourney game

Iowa State forward Joshua Jefferson sprained his left ankle in the opening minutes of the second-seeded Cyclones’ 108-74 rout of No. 15 seed Tennessee State

MARCH 20 • Associated Press

Doubtful for Sunday Jefferson (lower body) is doubtful for Sunday's game in the Round of 32 after getting banged up against Tennessee State, per Travis Hines of The Des Moines Register.

Impact Jefferson's X-rays reportedly came back negative, which is a good sign for the Cyclones' star forward. Still, he's doubtful for Iowa State's game on Sunday, which will be against Kentucky after the Wildcats' topped Santa Clara in an overtime thriller. There's no clarity on Jefferson's exact injury at the moment.

MARCH 20 • ROTOWIRE

Ruled out vs. Tennessee State Jefferson (lower body) has been ruled out of Iowa State's tilt with Tennessee State in the first round of the NCAA Tournament, per Travis Hines of The Des Moines Register.

Impact Jefferson sustained what appeared to be a serious leg/ankle injury early in the Cyclones' clash with Tennessee State in the Round of 64. He slowly walked off the court, unable to pout any weight on his left leg, so it's unsurprising that he's been ruled out for the remainder of the game after Iowa State officials deemed him doubtful following his injury. There's no clarity on the severity right now, but Jefferson was also seen on crutches leaving the locker room shortly after being taken off the court.

MARCH 20 • ROTOWIRE

Doubtful to return Jefferson (lower body) is doubtful to return against Tennessee State in the first round of the NCAA Tournament, per Travis Hines of The Des Moines Register.

Impact Jefferson was helped off the court early in the Cyclones' clash with Tennessee State in the Round of 64. He couldn't put any weight on his left leg/ankle, and he hobbled off the court gingerly. He was also reportedly spotted on crutches shortly after being taken off the court. This would be a massive blow for Iowa State, as the star forward averages 16.9 points, 7.6 rebounds, 4.6 assists and 1.7 steals.

MARCH 20 • ROTOWIRE

Iowa State Basketball Coach Sticks up for Joshua Jefferson There are a lot of reasons why the Iowa State Cyclones went 27-7 heading into the 2026 NCAA Tournament, earning a No. 2 seed in the Midwest...

MARCH 19 • SI.COM

Iowa State eyes long-awaited Final Four return as a No. 2 seed in the Midwest of NCAA Tournament

Iowa State may have its best chance in years to finally get back to the Final Four, a place the Cyclones have only visited once 82 years ago

MARCH 19 • Associated Press

Iowa State Cyclones play the Tennessee State Tigers in first round of NCAA Tournament

The No. 6 Iowa State Cyclones play in the opening round of the NCAA Tournament against the Tennessee State Tigers

MARCH 19 • Associated Press

Otzelberger believes Cyclones got their groove back just in time for March Madness

All five of T

MARCH 16 • Associated Press

Jaden Bradley's last-second jumper lifts No. 2 Arizona past No. 7 Iowa St 82-80 in Big 12 thriller

Arizona beats Iowa State 82 to 80 in a Big 12 Tournament semifinal after Jaden Bradley hits a last-second jumper

MARCH 14 • Associated Press

No. 2 Arizona's Jaden Bradley stuns No. 7 Iowa State with a buzzer-beater to reach Big 12 final

Arizona’s Jaden Bradley hit a fall-away jumper at the buzzer, sending second-ranked Arizona to an 82-80 victory over No. 7 Iowa State in the Big 12 Tournament semifinals Friday nig...

MARCH 14 • Associated Press

JOSHUA JEFFERSON NEWS

NEWS

BIO

STATS

VIDEOS

GAME LOG

Rick Barnes spurned Virginia years ago. The Cavaliers are in his way of taking Tennessee to Sweet 16

Iowa State Star Joshua Jefferson Unlikely To Play vs. Kentucky In NCAA Tourney

Iowa State and Kentucky square off in second round of NCAA Tournament

Iowa State loses star F Joshua Jefferson to an injury in first-round NCAA blowout of Tennessee State

Iowa State All-American Joshua Jefferson sprains ankle in opening minutes of NCAA tourney game

Iowa State eyes long-awaited Final Four return as a No. 2 seed in the Midwest of NCAA Tournament

Iowa State Cyclones play the Tennessee State Tigers in first round of NCAA Tournament

Otzelberger believes Cyclones got their groove back just in time for March Madness

Jaden Bradley's last-second jumper lifts No. 2 Arizona past No. 7 Iowa St 82-80 in Big 12 thriller

No. 2 Arizona's Jaden Bradley stuns No. 7 Iowa State with a buzzer-beater to reach Big 12 final