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Jersey Number 35
JT Rock
- Position:
- Center
- Ht./Wt.:
- 7-1 / 255
- Class:
- Senior
- Hometown:
- Sioux Falls, S.D.
- High School:
- Lincoln
- Prev School:
- Iowa State/New Mexico
Under the new 5-for-5 model, Rock is a senior with 2 years to play 2 seasons.
One of the tallest players in school history, measuring just 2 inches shorter than 7-foot-3 Jason Bennett, who played for the Wildcats in 2006-07, and one inch shorter than 7-foot-2 Dorin Buca, who played for the Wildcats in 2025-26. He is one of 10 7-footers in school history.
HONORS
CAREER OVERVIEW
Career-High Points: 14, twice
Career-High Assists: 2 vs. VCU (12/10/25) while at New Mexico
Career-High Steals: 1, seven times
Career-High Blocks: 4 vs. Grand Canyon (1/13/26) while at New Mexico
AS A JUNIOR AT NEW MEXICO (2025-26) | 6.2 PPG, 3.5 RPG, 0.9 APG | Game-by-Game Stats (.pdf)
AS A REDSHIRT FRESHMAN AT IOWA STATE (2024-25) | 0.7 PPG, 0.7 RPG | Game-by-Game Stats (.pdf)
AS A FRESHMAN AT IOWA STATE (2023-24) | DNP due to redshirt
HIGH SCHOOL
PERSONAL
GETTING TO KNOW JT
What age did you start playing basketball?
Organized team in the second grade but I’ve always loved to shoot baskets
Why are you passionate about basketball?
The relationships and experiences
What’s the significance of your uniform number?
I’ve worn 31 on pretty much every team I’ve been on since fifth grade
Why did you come to K-State?
Close to home and high-level competition in the Big 12
Three words to describe your game
Patient, collected, simple
A player you pattern your game after
Dirk Nowitzki
What have you learned about yourself while playing basketball?
I am resilient
What do you want to develop the most in your game?
Defense and physicality
What’s something personal that would surprise people about you?
I’m 7-foot tall but I’m slightly afraid of heights
Besides basketball, tell me something that you are passionate about
Relationships (family, friends, etc)
Aside from playing professional basketball, what is something that you want to accomplish in your post-basketball life?
Give back to the game by coaching or something similar
Who is the best basketball player ever?
Michael Jeffrey Jordan
Name your top musical artist(s)
Drake, Lil Wayne, Rod Wave
Favorite movie
Star Wars: Revenge of the Slith
Ideal vacation spot
Maui
What’s a non-basketball skill you take pride in?
Sneaker / uniform design
What do you do to relax?
Listen to music, spend time with friends, watch movies and occasionally play video games
Comfort TV Show?
Star Wars: The Clone Wars
Most used app on your phone
Instagram
Most used emoji
Sunglasses emoji
One of the tallest players in school history, measuring just 2 inches shorter than 7-foot-3 Jason Bennett, who played for the Wildcats in 2006-07, and one inch shorter than 7-foot-2 Dorin Buca, who played for the Wildcats in 2025-26. He is one of 10 7-footers in school history.
| Height | Player | Years |
| 7-3 | Jason Bennett | 2006-07 |
| 7-2 | Dorin Buca | 2025-26 |
| 7-1 | Nick Pino | 1965-68 |
| 7-1 | Joe Leonard | 1997-2001 |
| 7-1 | JT Rock | 2026-present |
| 7-0 | Davion Bradford | 2020-22 |
| 7-0 | Jordan Henriquez-Roberts | 2009-13 |
| 7-0 | Dax Jones | 1996-97 |
| 7-0 | Carlton Linguard Jr. | 2020-22 |
| 7-0 | Roger Suttner | 1961-64 |
HONORS
- 2026 Spring Academic All-Mountain West Team
- 2025 Academic All-Big 12 First Team
- 4-time Big 12 Commissioner’s Honor Roll recipient
CAREER OVERVIEW
- Transferred to K-State after one season at New Mexico (2025-26) and two seasons at Iowa State (2023-25)… Has been a part of 80 wins in his college career, including NCAA Tournament appearances with the Cyclones in 2024 and 2025.
- Has played in 46 career games with one start.
- Has averaged 5.2 points on 54.7 percent (88-of-161) shooting with 2.9 rebounds and 0.8 blocks in 10.7 minutes per game in his 46-game college career.
- Has scored in double figures in 9 career games, including career-best 14-point performances vs. Sam Houston (3/18/26) and Tulsa (4/2/26), both in the NIT.
- Coming off a career year in 2025-26 at New Mexico, in which, he helped lead the Lobos to 26 wins and the semifinals of the NIT… Played in all 37 games with one start, averaging 6.2 points on 54.5 percent (85-of-156) shooting with 3.5 rebounds and 0.9 blocks in 12.8 minutes per game… Led the team with 34 blocked shots.
- His 23 made 3-pointers in 2025-26 are the most-ever in a season by a UNM 7-footer.
- Scored in 33 of 37 games with nine double-digit scoring games highlighted by 14-point efforts vs. Sam Houston (3/18/26) and Tulsa (4/2/26) which came in the last 4 games.
- Played his best during the team’s run to the NIT, averaging 10.3 points on 50 percent (16-of-32) shooting, including 40 percent (6-of-15) from 3-point range, with 6 rebounds in 13.3 minutes per game.
- Played two seasons (2023-25) at Iowa State for head coach TJ Otzelberger, including redshirting as a true freshman in 2023-24… Part of teams that won 54 games in those two seasons, including 25 as a redshirt freshman in 2024-25.
- Viewed as one of the top prep players in South Dakota in the Class of 2024 before graduating from high school early to enroll at Iowa State in the Class of 2023.
- Split his 2 meetings with future teammate Brandon Rechsteiner when he played at New Mexico and Rechsteiner at Colorado State.
Career-High Points: 14, twice
- vs. Sam Houston (3/18/26) while at New Mexico
- vs. Tulsa (4/2/26) while at New Mexico
Career-High Assists: 2 vs. VCU (12/10/25) while at New Mexico
Career-High Steals: 1, seven times
Career-High Blocks: 4 vs. Grand Canyon (1/13/26) while at New Mexico
AS A JUNIOR AT NEW MEXICO (2025-26) | 6.2 PPG, 3.5 RPG, 0.9 APG | Game-by-Game Stats (.pdf)
- Helped guide the Lobos to a 26-11 overall record, including a tie for third place in the Mountain West with a 13-7 mark, and the semifinals of the NIT.
- Saw action in all 37 games with one start.
- Played 473 total minutes, averaging 12.8 minutes per game… Played a season-high 22 vs. San Jose State (12/20/25).
- Averaged 6.2 points on 54.5 percent (85-of-156) shooting, including 39.7 percent (23-of-58) from 3-point range, with 3.5 rebounds and 0.9 blocks per game… Connected on 64.4 percent (38-of-59) from the free throw line.
- Played his best during the team’s run to the NIT, averaging 10.3 points on 50 percent (16-of-32) shooting, including 40 percent (6-of-15) from 3-point range, with 6 rebounds in 13.3 minutes per game… Scored in double figures in 2 of 4 NIT games.
- Scored in 33 of 37 games with nine double-digit scoring games, including a season-high 14 points twice (Sam Houston and Tulsa) in the last 4 games of the season… Went 5-of-9 from the field vs. Sam Houston (3/18/26), including 3-of-5 from 3-point range… Hit on 5-of-10 field goals vs. Tulsa (4/2/26), including 2-of-6 from beyond the arc.
- Totaled 11 points in his first start vs. San Jose State (12/20/25) with 5 rebounds… Scored 13 points vs. Grand Canyon (1/13/26) on 5-of-8 field goals, including 2-of-3 from 3-point range… Went a perfect 5-of-5 from the field with 12 points in a win over Air Force (2/17/26).
- His 23 made 3-pointers were the most-ever by a UNM 7-footer, connecting on nearly 40 percent (23-of-58) of his attempts… Connected on 2 or more 3-pointers in 6 games, including a career-best 3 vs. Sam Houston (3/18/26).
- Shot 64.4 percent (38-of-59) from the free throw line… Went a season-best 4-of-4 from the line vs. Florida Gulf Coast (12/14/25).
- Grabbed 128 rebounds, including 88 on the defensive end… Posted a career-high 9 vs. New Mexico Highlands (12/1/25)… Had 5 or more boards in 10 games.
- Dished out 14 assists compared to 21 turnovers… Turned in a career-high 2 assists at VCU (12/10/25).
- Had 7 steals on the year with one in 7 different games.
- Led the team with 34 blocked shots… Registered a career-best 4 blocks vs. Grand Canyon (1/13/26)… Had at least 2 blocks in 10 games.
- Saw action in all 20 Mountain West Conference games with one start… Averaged 6.5 points on 58 percent (47-of-81) shooting, including 44.8 percent (13-of-29) from 3-point range, in league only games with 3.1 rebounds and 1.0 blocks in 13.7 minutes per game… Connected on 62.9 percent (22-of-35) from the free throw line.
- Scored in double figures in 4 MWC games, including a season-high 13 points vs. Grand Canyon (1/13/26) on 5-of-8 shooting.
- Coached by Eric Olen.
AS A REDSHIRT FRESHMAN AT IOWA STATE (2024-25) | 0.7 PPG, 0.7 RPG | Game-by-Game Stats (.pdf)
- Helped guide the Cyclones to a 25-10 overall record, including a 13-7 mark in Big 12 play, and a trip to the NCAA Tournament.
- Saw action in 9 games, all off the bench.
- Played in 21 total minutes, averaging 2.3 minutes per game… Played a season-high 4 minutes vs. Omaha (12/15/24).
- Averaged 0.7 points on 60 percent (3-of-5) shooting with 0.7 rebounds per game.
- Scored in 3 games, including 2 points vs. Jackson State (12/8/24), vs. TCU (2/8/25) and vs. Lipscomb (3/21/25) in the NCAA Tournament.
- Posted a season-high 2 rebounds vs. Jackson State (12/8/24) and Lipscomb (3/21/25).
- Saw action in 3 Big 12 games… Scored a season-high 2 points vs. TCU (2/8/25).
- Coached by TJ Otzelberger.
AS A FRESHMAN AT IOWA STATE (2023-24) | DNP due to redshirt
- Helped guide the Cyclones to a 29-8 overall record, including a 13-5 mark in Big 12 play, and to the Sweet 16 of the NCAA Tournament.
- Practiced with the team but did not see any game action.
- Reclassified to the Class of 2023 to enroll early at Iowa State, picking the Cyclones over offers from Creighton, Iowa, Purdue, Kansas among others.
- Coached by TJ Otzelberger.
HIGH SCHOOL
- A consensus 4-star prospect in the Class of 2024, ranking in the top 100 by On3, ESPN and 247Sports… Rated as a top-20 center by both On3 and 247Sports… Ranked as the No. 1 prep player in the state of South Dakota.
- Originally a member of the Class of 2024 before re-classifying in the summer of 2023 to enroll at Iowa State early.
- Prepped at Lincoln High School in Sioux Falls, S.D., leading the Patriots to a 22-2 record and a fourth-place finish at the 2023 Class AA state tournament.
- Named the 2023 South Dakota AA Player of the Year.
- Averaged 18 points, 10 rebounds and 4.5 blocks per game as a junior in 2022-23.
- Participated in the National Basketball Players Association Top 100 Camp and the Under Armour Future 60 Camp.
PERSONAL
- JT Rock was born on March 1, 2005, in Sioux Falls, S.D. … Parents are Matt and Paige Rock… Has three younger siblings (Ethan, Jordan and Evlynn (Evie).
- Father, Matt, played football at South Dakota State from 1997-99… He is currently the traffic engineer for the City of Sioux Falls.
- Majoring in integrative human sciences.
GETTING TO KNOW JT
What age did you start playing basketball?
Organized team in the second grade but I’ve always loved to shoot baskets
Why are you passionate about basketball?
The relationships and experiences
What’s the significance of your uniform number?
I’ve worn 31 on pretty much every team I’ve been on since fifth grade
Why did you come to K-State?
Close to home and high-level competition in the Big 12
Three words to describe your game
Patient, collected, simple
A player you pattern your game after
Dirk Nowitzki
What have you learned about yourself while playing basketball?
I am resilient
What do you want to develop the most in your game?
Defense and physicality
What’s something personal that would surprise people about you?
I’m 7-foot tall but I’m slightly afraid of heights
Besides basketball, tell me something that you are passionate about
Relationships (family, friends, etc)
Aside from playing professional basketball, what is something that you want to accomplish in your post-basketball life?
Give back to the game by coaching or something similar
Who is the best basketball player ever?
Michael Jeffrey Jordan
Name your top musical artist(s)
Drake, Lil Wayne, Rod Wave
Favorite movie
Star Wars: Revenge of the Slith
Ideal vacation spot
Maui
What’s a non-basketball skill you take pride in?
Sneaker / uniform design
What do you do to relax?
Listen to music, spend time with friends, watch movies and occasionally play video games
Comfort TV Show?
Star Wars: The Clone Wars
Most used app on your phone
Most used emoji
Sunglasses emoji
Thursday, August 27
Wednesday, August 26
Monday, August 03
Monday, July 27
