IOWA CITY, Iowa – Jess Settles has the distinction of being Iowa’s only Big Ten Freshman of the Year honoree in men’s basketball.

At least for now.

Settles achieved that milestone 30 years ago as a multi-talented 6-foot-7 forward on Iowa’s 1993-94 squad.

But he should soon have company in 6-10 Hawkeye forward Owen Freeman, who has been named Big Ten Freshman of Week nine times this season.

That is the second most in league history behind the 12 weekly honors that former Ohio State forward Jared Sullinger won as a freshman.

Freeman’s success as a freshman is among multiple topics that Settles addresses as the guest on Wednesday’s Hawk Fanatic radio show and podcast.

Freeman blocked his 51st shot in Tuesday’s 90-81 victory over Penn State to set the Iowa freshman record for blocks.

Junior forward Payton Sandfort also recorded the first triple-double in program history with 26 points, 10 rebounds and 10 assists, while graduate forward Ben Krikke and senior forward Patrick McCaffery surpassed 2,000 and 1,000 career points, respectively.

So, there was plenty to discuss with Settles, and like always, he delivers.

He also shares his thoughts on the legend of Caitlin Clark.

He did the interview while driving to Ames where he will help call Wednesday’s game between Iowa State and Oklahoma.

Settles looks back to his freshman season when he was thrust into a lead role following the death of Christ Street in an automobile in January of the previous season.

Street was killed midway through his junior season on Jan. 19, 1993, and he would have been a senior on the 1993-94 squad, and by far its best player.

Settles did all he could to help fill the void, but Iowa still finished 11-16 overall and 5-13 in the Big Ten in what would have been Street’s senior season.

We appreciate Jess taking time from his busy schedule to speak with us.

Here is the link to the podcast. His interview starts approximately one hour into the near-two hour podcast: