Dec 20, 2023; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Pittsburgh Panthers forward Guillermo Diaz Graham (25) drives to the basket against IPFW Mastodons forward Eric Mulder (32) during the first half at the Petersen Events Center. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images
Iowa State men’s basketball has earned its first commitment out of this transfer portal cycle in former Purdue Fort Wayne forward Eric Mulder.
“I wanted to try and find something closer to home,” Mulder said. “It’s obviously a great program, with phenomenal coaches, staff and players… and Iowa State was the perfect fit.”
Mulder, a 6-foot-8, 225-pound forward, announced the news over his social media channels.
Going home pic.twitter.com/aMmDRUqDSn
— Eric Mulder (@eric_mulder16) March 27, 2025
Mulder, a native of Oskaloosa, was one of the most efficient players in college basketball a season ago.
“I was actually an Iowa fan – growing up, I wanted to play football at Iowa, but God blessed me with more of a basketball body,” Mulder said. “Sometimes it’s hard to believe where I am today. I’ve definitely been very blessed and have had a lot of people supporting me in my journey that I wouldn’t be here without.”
He finished at No. 13 in the country in field goal percentage, converting on 69.5 percent of his shots.
“It’s about not forcing anything, setting good screens and trying to give the guards an advantage to get downhill,” Mulder said. “Then you look to get a dunk down, or an offensive rebound and a putback.”
He also ranked in the top 30 in offensive rebounds, collecting 3.34 per game – good for 28th, nationally.
“They like my athleticism,” Mulder said. “I think I could do well disrupting the other team’s offense and just putting good ball pressure on… it’s just about being ready to go night in and night out. The Big 12 is obviously a really good league, and you’re playing a good, physical team every game.”
Mulder has two years of eligibility remaining.
