Iowa State signs pair of transfer big men

May 9, 2016 - 10:22 PM AMES, Iowa (AP) Iowa State has brought in a pair of graduate transfers to bolster its frontcourt.

Darrell Bowie, a 6-foot-7 forward from Northern Illinois, was averaging 13 points and 7 rebounds a game in 2014-15 before hurting his shoulder. He sat out last season with a medical redshirt.

Merill Holden, who is 6-foot-8 and from Louisiana Tech, averaged 8 points and 5 rebounds a game in 2015-16.

The Cyclones hope Bowie and Holden can provide depth for talented junior college recruit Emmanuel Malou.

Malou has signed with the Cyclones while also filing paperwork for the NBA draft in case academic issues threaten his eligibility.

Bowie's and Holden's signings coincide with the decision by seldom-used forward Brady Ernst, a freshman last season, to transfer.