Aug 31, 2026 · 37 min
Chris Babb traces Iowa State’s transfer-era breakthrough
1-on-1 with Chris Babb: Reflecting on 13 year pro career, looking back on Hoiberg days and MORE
Babb’s career retrospective connects Iowa State’s early transfer strategy, landmark Kansas wins, and his next step toward coaching.
- 1Babb explains how a transfer from Penn State led to a 13-year professional career across seven countries.
- 2He credits Fred Hoiberg’s system and early transfer strategy with reshaping Iowa State’s trajectory and confidence.
- 3After retirement, Babb is weighing assistant coaching opportunities while spending more time with his family.
Don't miss
Babb recalls the home Kansas win capped by his late three-pointer, which he says transformed the team’s confidence.
The brief
Chris Babb reflects on 13 professional seasons across seven countries, explaining how an evolving three-and-defense role carried him farther than he expected.
His move from Penn State to Iowa State placed him inside Fred Hoiberg’s early transfer-driven rebuild, before that strategy became commonplace in college basketball.
Babb identifies the home win over Kansas, sealed by his late three-pointer, as the moment the Cyclones’ belief and expectations changed.
He revisits the unexpected dunk over Marcus Smart and George Niang’s early development, two snapshots of a roster that grew beyond its initial projections.
Now retired, Babb is enjoying family time while exploring assistant coaching opportunities and assessing the lessons he absorbed from Iowa State’s staff.
Featuring
Chris Babb
Fred HoibergListen to the full episode and explore every guest, topic, and moment on PodLume.