Iowa State Basketball Lands 2026 International Big Man

Iowa State has picked up a key piece for its 2026 recruiting class with the commitment of 6-foot-10 center Dorian Rinaldo-Komlan. Originally from France, Rinaldo-Komlan currently plays at Spire Academy in Ohio and brings length, mobility, and upside to the Cyclones’ frontcourt.

This is a developmental get. Rinaldo-Komlan isn’t walking in as a finished product, but that’s not what Iowa State is betting on. What they’re getting is a long, high-motor big man who takes pride in defense and isn’t afraid to get physical. He’s played with Limoges Espoirs U21 back in France, where he averaged 11.5 points and 4.6 rebounds while shooting 55 percent from the floor. Now he’s making the adjustment to American basketball, and he’s doing it with the kind of frame and attitude that coaches love to mold.

In his own words, development was the reason he chose Iowa State. “All conversations were about development,” Rinaldo-Komlan said. “For me, that’s the most important thing.” That fits exactly into what T.J. Otzelberger and his staff have been building in Ames. They’re not trying to stack one-year rentals. They’re looking for players who will buy in, improve year to year, and play the kind of gritty, tough basketball that works in the Big 12.

This is also another example of Iowa State going outside the traditional recruiting lanes. Otzelberger has shown he’s not afraid to dip into the international pool if the fit is right. With Rinaldo-Komlan, they get a big who has already played structured basketball overseas and is now adapting to the U.S. prep scene.

He’s not a headline name yet, but if Iowa State gets this one right, they’ll have a reliable post presence to build around for the next few seasons.