Folgueiras lasted only one season in Iowa City, but will always be remembered for his clutch play during Iowa's Elite Eight run.
Three weeks after nailing a memorable, game-winning three-pointer to send Iowa men's basketball to its first Sweet 16 in 27 years, junior forward Alvaro Folgueiras plans to enter the transfer portal, Jonathan Givony of Draft Express reported Friday.
Folguieras issued this statement on Instagram following the announcement: "Forever grateful, Hawkeye Nation!"
After spending his first two seasons with Robert Morris, which included a Horizon League Player of the Year nod in 2024-25, Folgueiras made the jump to the Power Four level and joined Ben McCollum's highly-anticipated first Iowa Hawkeye team. The 6-foot-10 forward experienced an up-and-down campaign, averaging 8.4 points, 3.6 rebounds, and 2.2 assists per game for a Hawkeyes team that entered the NCAA tournament losing seven of their last 10 games.
The disappointing regular season didn't stop Folgueiras from producing one of the most memorable single-player NCAA tournament performances in Iowa men's basketball history. The forward chipped in 14 points in the Hawkeyes' first round win over Clemson before etching his name in Iowa lore with his game-sealing triple against No. 1 Florida in the second round.
Folgueiras' best overall showing came in the following South Regional semifinal contest against rival Nebraska. He finished with 16 points, two rebounds, and three steals in 29 minutes of action, continuing his growing popularity with two dunks in the final minute to seal Iowa's 77-71 triumph.
But as good as Folgueiras was over the course of the first three rounds of the tournament, his performance against Illinois in the Elite Eight ultimately was a microcosm of his regular season. The much-larger Fighting Illini frontcourt overwhelmed Folgueiras from the start, and he only played nine minutes and didn't register a single point.
Folgueiras will have one season of eligibility remaining, and it's possible his NCAA tournament highlights could earn him interest from high-profile programs. Though his time with Iowa was short, likely no one in the state will forget his magical Big Dance show.
Looking for a FREE Hawkeyes community?
Don't miss out on our Roundtable community and the latest news! It's completely FREE to join.
Share your thoughts, engage with our Roundtable writers, and chat with fellow members. Download the FREE Roundtable APP and stay even more connected!
Missed the giveaway?
No problem! Become a FREE HawkeyeRoundtable community member today to have a chance to win future Hawkeye prizes! We'll continue the giveaways throughout the year and may or may not have one coming later this month, so stay tuned!