Former Iowa men’s basketball player Patrick McCaffery transfers to Butler

McCaffery will spend his final year of eligibility with the Bulldogs.

April 13, 2024

Patrick McCaffery goes for a layup during a men’s basketball game between Iowa and North Florida at Carver-Hawkeye Arena on Wednesday, Nov. 17, 2023. The Hawkeyes defeated the Ospreys ,103 – 78. McCaffery scored 16 points for Iowa throughout the game.

Former Iowa men’s basketball forward Patrick McCaffery has committed to Butler, per an announcement on his Instagram page.

Following his fifth season, McCaffery announced his intention to transfer and use his extra year of eligibility granted because of the COVID-19 pandemic. He joins teammates Tony Perkins and Dasonte Bowen as former Hawkeyes in the transfer portal.

McCaffery, the son of longtime Iowa head coach Fran McCaffery, played for his father from 2019-2024, spending one year in the starting lineup and as a reserve in his final two seasons. In his final year with the Hawkeyes, McCaffery averaged 8.9 points and 2.8 rebounds per game as Iowa advanced to the second round of the NIT.

McCaffery has battled through adversity for most of his Hawkeye career.

At the age of 13, McCaffery was diagnosed with thyroid cancer, suffering through three months of treatment. Though he became cancer-free after his treatment, later complications forced him to redshirt his true freshman season after only playing two games.

McCaffery took a leave of absence from the team during the 2022-23 season, citing the need to address his mental health. After missing the next six games, he returned and helped lead Iowa to the NCAA Tournament.

Now, McCaffery gets a chance to start fresh in the Big East with the Butler Bulldogs, who went 18-15 last season under head coach Thad Matta. Matta previously coached in the Big Ten with the Ohio State Buckeyes. The Bulldogs will be looking to get back into the Big Dance for the first time in six seasons.

About the Contributors

Brad Schultz, Sports Reporter

(he/him/his)

Brad Schultz is a sophomore at the University of Iowa majoring in Journalism and Mass Communication with a minor in Sports Studies. This is first year working as a sports reporter and he has a deep passion and love for sports. Outside of the Daily Iowan, Brad is a contributor for Saturday Blitz, a college football site, with his content primarily covering Iowa and the Big Ten.

Isabella Tisdale, Photojournalist

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Isabella Tisdale is a photojournalist for The Daily Iowan and is a senior at West High school. In her free time, she stage manages for the theater program at West High. She plans to double major in political science and journalism.