Iowa State basketball's star point guard Tyrese Hunter enters the transfer portal

Tyrese Hunter is one-and-done, as far as Iowa State men’s basketball is concerned. The speculation that started late last week is reality:

The Big 12’s Freshman of the Year is in the transfer portal.

Less than a month after saying “Iowa State will be back” following the Midwest Regional Sweet 16 loss against Miami, Hunter is transferring, presumably for better name, image and likeness financial opportunities.

What Tyrese Hunter's transfer means for Iowa State

The Racine, Wisconsin native’s departure is a major blow for a program that hoped to build next season’s roster around him. After averaging 11 points and 4.9 assists during an average of 31.9 minutes a game, Hunter was expected to be the face of the program next season and beyond. 

Randy Peterson:Losing Tyrese Hunter stinks for Iowa State basketball, but it's hard to blame him

“What happened with my situation, was it shows they give the point guard the freedom to distribute to the team — to have a voice on the court — whether you’re a freshman or sophomore out there,” Hunter said after the Miami loss.

“Other guys coming in can see that they’re confident in you.”

More:With Tyrese Hunter departing Iowa State, here are the top guards left in the transfer portal

Ames recruit Tamin Lipsey was looking forward to playing with and learning from Hunter next season. Now he figures to take on a much bigger role with Hunter in the portal. 

“I love his game," Lipsey, a 6-2 guard told The Register in a phone conversation three weeks ago. “We have a lot of similarities, and also some differences, which can make us very difficult to defend and play against.

“I think we can mesh very well. Having two guys on the court that can handle the ball — that’ll make it easier on our team, and bother the opponent. One person doesn’t always have to be in charge.”

More:'Life keeps going on': How Iowa State's Tyrese Hunter was shaped by deaths of his parents

Who's left on Iowa State's roster?

Hunter is the fourth player from last season’s 22-23 team to enter the portal.  The others — Tre Jackson, Jaden Walker and Tristan Enaruna — were not surprises.

Last season's top scorer Izaiah Brockington and starting post player George Conditt IV skipped what could have been COVID-19 seasons for 2022-23. Brockington will enter the NBA draft process, and Conditt has signed a professional contract in Puerto Rico.

Word of Hunter’s potential transfer started circulating last Friday, then picked up steam throughout the weekend.

"After praying, speaking with my family and giving myself time to carefully consider my next steps on this journey, I''ve decided to enter the NCAA transfer portal," Hunter wrote on Twitter Monday.

Hunter was good throughout Iowa State's surprising season, then took his game to another level during the Cyclones’ 59-54 victory against LSU in the NCAA Tournament’s first round.

Playing in Milwaukee’s Fiserv Forum, just 30 miles from his hometown, Hunter scored 23 points. He was 7 of 11 from three-point range. His final 3-pointer, a long, high-arching shot with 19 seconds remaining on the game clock and with 2 seconds left on the shot clock, iced the victory.

More:5 things to know about Tyrese Hunter, Iowa State's NCAA Tournament breakout star

“I looked at (the shot clock) the whole possession,” Hunter said. “I was trying to make sure I managed the whole possession.

“I really was trying to get it to (Izaiah Brockington), but it came into my hands. I shot the ball confidently.”

Hunter joined Golden State Warriors superstar Steph Curry as the only two players in NCAA Tournament history record seven or more made 3-pointers and five or more steals in a game.

Hunter committed to former Iowa State coach Steve Prohm, then re-committed to Otzelberger after Prohm’s firing.

"It was just me and my trust, knowing where I could see myself in the future,” Hunter told the Register after announcing he’s sticking with his commitment. “I felt like, sitting on that decision for a while and seeing how I really felt about it — I was 100% in."

Iowa State columnist Randy Peterson embarked on his 50th year of writing sports for the Des Moines Register in December 2021. Reach him at rpeterson@dmreg.com, 515-284-8132, and on Twitter at @RandyPete.