Iowa Men's Basketball Adds Two

'24's Cooper Koch, Chris Tadjo Sign with Hawkeyes Wednesday

Former Iowa Basketball standout JR Koch (right) sits in the stands with his son, Cooper Koch, a recruiting the 2024 class, on Feb. 6, 2022 at Carver-Hawkeye Arena in Iowa City, Iowa. (Rob Howe/HawkeyeNation.com)

IOWA CITY, Iowa - University of Iowa head men’s basketball coach Fran McCaffery announced Wednesday that Cooper Koch and Chris Tadjo have signed a National Letter of Intent to attend the University of Iowa.

“Both of these young men are going to be great additions to our program and are the true definition of culture,” said McCaffery.

COOPER KOCH

(pronounced KOTCH)

Forward, 6-8, 205

Peoria, Ill.

Metamora Township High School

- Transferred from Peoria Notre Dame to Metamora High School for his senior season

- Selected to the 2023 adidas Eurocamp in Treviso, Italy

- Four-star ranking by Rivals and ESPN

- Rated as the No. 71 player nationally by On3, No. 14 power forward and No. 2 player in Illinois

- Ranked as the No. 51 player nationally by 247Sports and the No. 8 power forward in the class

- Earned Illinois Basketball Coaches Association 3A first-team all-state honors as a junior after averaging 18.6 points and eight rebounds, 3.5 assists and 2.2 steals

- Was AP second-team all-state in 2022-23 and first-team All-Big 12 Conference honoree

- Honorable mention all-state and all-conference selection as a sophomore after averaging 16 points, seven rebounds, four assists, two steals and a block

- Plays for Indiana Elite on AAU circuit

- Son of former Hawkeye and NBA player J.R. Koch, who played for Iowa from 1995-99. J.R. was an NBA second round draft pick by the New York Knicks in 1999

WHY IOWA?

“I chose the University of Iowa because it embodies everything I am looking for in a college experience -- a dynamic and fast-paced style of play, an extraordinary coaching staff that has the expertise to guide and develop my skills, and above all, a strong sense of family and belonging within the Hawkeye community that I am thrilled to be a part of.”

FRAN McCAFFERY ON COOPER KOCH

“Cooper is incredibly versatile and is a phenomenal shooter, but he is also skilled in so many different areas. He runs the floor, moves constantly, puts it on the floor and can make plays for so many other people. He rebounds the ball, really competes and is a tremendous worker. Cooper has tremendous character and he is one of those guys that continues to get better every time you see him. He’s going to have a great impact for many years.”

(Pronounced TAJ-oh)

Forward, 6-8, 220

Montreal, Quebec

NBA Academy Latin America

- Four-star recruit by On3

- Rated as the No. 66-best player in the class and the 11th-best power forward

- Attends the NBA Academy Latin America – an elite basketball training program for top prospects from Mexico, the Caribbean, Central America, South America and Canada

- Selected as the Defensive MVP of the 2022 Basketball Without Borders (BWB) America’s Camp in San Luis Potosi, Mexico

- Named a BWB Americas All-Star

- Named Most Valuable Player of the White Team at the BioSteel All-Canadian Games after posting a double-double (25 points, 16 rebounds)

WHY IOWA?

“I am happy to embark on an exciting journey at the University of Iowa. Iowa is an exceptional program with a great community, and the warmth I have experienced while interacting with the coaching staff and the players made Iowa an instant home away from home. I’m more than excited to dive into this experience and get to work.”

FRAN McCAFFERY ON CHRIS TADJO

“Chris is a very gifted, talented, athletic player. He is extremely versatile with the ability to put it on the floor, slash and play in the post. Chris has a great deal of character, and we are so excited to have him join our program.”