IOWA CITY — Peyton McCollum had just worked his way back from a left foot injury when it happened again.

This time, it was his right foot.

It was McCollum’s first time playing pickup since suffering the left foot injury in the winter. McCollum, the oldest son of Iowa basketball coach Ben McCollum, was already trending toward redshirting in his first season with the program. But the left foot injury ensured that was the case, sidelining him for an extended time.

Then, in his first time playing pickup basketball since returning, McCollum stepped on someone’s foot in what he described as a “freak deal,” causing an injury to his right foot.

“I was mad,” McCollum said. “I was very angry. A lot of emotions going on. It was a rough time.”

But he didn’t let that linger for too long.

“The next couple of days, we recovered, we were fine, we were just on to the next,” McCollum said. “Like, got to recover from this one. We’re going to recover and rehab even harder this time.”

After the unfortunate sequence of injuries, McCollum recently returned to the floor for the Hawkeyes.

“He’s been playing well,” Ben McCollum said of his oldest son. “Had to do a great job with (athletic trainer Brad Floy) and (director of men’s basketball athletic performance Logan Ogden) getting him rehabbed back to health. He’s had some good practices. He’s competing, all that.”

While Peyton McCollum recovered from the second foot injury, he used movies to help take care of himself mentally. He mostly stuck with IMDb’s top movies, estimating that he worked his way through around 60 or 70 on the list.

“I really enjoy watching movies,” he said. “So I kind of just binge-watched movies. And then, obviously, focus on your team, as well, because we were in the offseason. Just hanging with the guys, doing everything with them.”

Did McCollum agree with how the movies were ranked on the IMDb list?

“There’s some of the older ones, I’m like, 'Eehhh, I don’t know,' maybe just because they’re classics,” McCollum said. “But, yeah, I agree with most of them.”

Now that McCollum is back in action, he has put a greater emphasis on taking care of himself physically, so he can stay healthy.

“Just making sure my body’s prepared every single day,” McCollum said. “I’ve never really been like big into recovery, ice baths. Just being in that training room, making sure to take care of your body more, because it’s pretty strenuous on your body when you’re just going all year long. So just realizing to take your time away from basketball to actually help your body, help your mind.”

Iowa mostly operated with just two primary ball handlers last season— Bennett Stirtz and Kael Combs. But the Hawkeyes could very well have more viable options this season, in part thanks to McCollum. Combs, McCollum, Tate Sage and Illinois State transfer Ty’Reek Coleman each have the potential to be primary ball-handlers for the Hawkeyes this season.

“I think I can bring (being a) great teammate, energy, a little bit of leadership if need be,” McCollum said, “and obviously when my shots (are) not falling or when I’m not getting to the basket, a great defender, as well.”

More: What 'twitchy' guard Ty'Reek Coleman brings to Iowa men's basketball

McCollum, listed at 6-foot-2, doesn’t possess incredible size for the Big Ten level. However, he has what Waukee Northwest head coach Brett Watson described as “maturity" and the ability to stay "neutral.” In his lone season with the Wolves, McCollum helped the team to an appearance in the state championship game. McCollum shot around 40% from deep as a senior.

A lot has happened since McCollum’s high school career ended in 2025, between the injuries and Iowa’s Elite Eight run. But McCollum finally has the chance to make an impact for the Hawkeyes, at the very least providing the type of guard depth the Hawkeyes lacked last season.

“It’s been a long ride, but it’s awesome to come and compete again,” McCollum said of returning from foot injuries. “That’s what I love about basketball.”

Follow Tyler Tachman on X @Tyler_T15, contact via email at TTachman@usatodayco.com

This article originally appeared on Hawk Central: Iowa basketball's Peyton McCollum perseveres through injury setbacks