Horizon League Player of the Year and face of Robert Morris basketball’s most successful season in five years, Alvaro Folgueiras, has committed to Iowa his agents told ESPN Sunday night.
Folgueiras was recruited by the Colonials as a freshman in 2023, and now leaves the program after a career year, making the leap to a power 4 conference.
The move won’t come as a surprise, as the Spaniard was considered a hot commodity in the transfer portal this offseason due to his unique ability all over the court.
Folgueiras averaged 14.1 points and 9.1 rebounds while shooting 54.8% from the field and 41.3% from the arch. The sophomore also averaged a steal and block across his 35 starts this season.
“The Octopus,” as he was referred to as across campus, became a big game player and cult hero among Colonial fans. Folgueiras scored a career high 35 points in an important win vs Northern Kentucky, winning him one of his three conference Player of the Week awards.
After wrapping up the regular season championship against IU Indy, Folgueiras won Horizon League Player of the Year, and was included on the All-Horizon League first team.
Folgueiras formed a formidable pair with fellow back-court partner Amarion Dickerson, the Horizon League Defensive Player of the Year. The duo shined in the Colonials’ NCAA Tournament loss to Alabama, where Folgueiras scored 15 points, collected 10 rebounds, and had a block and a steal.
His performances down the stretch of the season for RMU, including on the biggest stage for college basketball, gained the sophomore national attention, and after entering the portal on March 25, Folgueiras was sought after by many big schools across the country.
In the end, Folgueiras chose the black and gold of the Hawkeyes, and while he may not be in the Colonial red, white, and blue anymore, he will still be on the court with the Colonials next season, when the team travels to Iowa City to open their season next year on November 4.
