2025 MBB Recruiting Thread

[Max_Rebo]

As my wife Margaret tells me often, Fran is no dummy.

Next year, 4 of the 13 available scholarships (31%) will be going to players from West Africa.

The West Africa pipeline to Iowa City:

(1) 2025 commit Badara Diakite is from Bamako, Mali (located in West Africa).

(2) Freshman Nogbou Chris Tadjo was born in West Africa before moving to Montreal Canada; his parents/family are from Ivory Coast (southern West Africa).

(3) Seydou Traore is originally from Mali in West Africa. His parents are Abraham Traore & Mariam Sylla.

(4) Sophomore Ladji Dembele is also originally from Mali in West Africa.

Not sure if it's by plan or by coincidence, but if these 4 West African players find success at Iowa, that could be a very valuable recruiting pipeline for Iowa for years to come.

Adding to this, we've also had Gabe Olaseni, who was born in Nigeria, and Peter Jok who was from Sudan.

There was also Dom Uhl from Germany and Josh Ogundele from England. (Though if I had to guess, I'd bet both trace a relatively recent ancestry to the African continent as well.)

 

[LukaDuka]

Coach Dillard recently went to watch JJ Frakes, a 6-4 guard out of Michigan.

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Let's get this guy! I love how he plays.... attitude and flair. A crowd pleaser.

 

[Hawksfinal4]

I like them both

 

[icwesthawk]

There was also Dom Uhl from Germany and Josh Ogundele from England. (Though if I had to guess, I'd bet both trace a relatively recent ancestry to the African continent as well.)

 

[HoustonREDHawk]

Let's get this guy! I love how he plays.... attitude and flair. A crowd pleaser.

Definitely aggressive and good lift on jumper. Hard to assess in the video, because the competition looks awful.

 

[HoustonREDHawk]

Iowa has started recruiting Didi Zanguim, a 6-10 small forward with a 7-7 wingspan who plays at a prep school in Houston. There doesn't seem to be a lot of information about him online. Not sure why.

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Impressive video. Showed almost everything except an outside shot.

 

[Hendy hawk]

Does he play defense.
Can he rebound?

 

[Franisdaman]

 

[iabcuda]

Diakite’s video in Tyler’s article is a must see!
Spoiler alert: raw, raw, raw, but yes, please.

 

[intrepodor]

Does he play defense.
Can he rebound?

Defense??

 

[Franisdaman]

Emeka Opurum

Emeka Opurum

www.butlergrizzlies.com

 

[HoustonREDHawk]

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Emeka Opurum

Emeka Opurum

www.butlergrizzlies.com

Not the usual Fran recruit. He seems to have minimal offensive skills, but can probably provide a good interior defender and rebounder. Averaged over 6 boards in 19min/

 

[LukaDuka]

Not the usual Fran recruit. He seems to have minimal offensive skills, but can probably provide a good interior defender and rebounder. Averaged over 6 boards in 19min/

Rebound our missed 3's & block shots. Back up for Freeman, but has to beat out Mulvey.

 

[intrepodor]

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Emeka Opurum

Emeka Opurum

www.butlergrizzlies.com

Great. Pair him up with Ladje.
.

 

[Franisdaman]

 

[LaQuintaHawkeye]

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dude looks 35 in that pic 😦

 

[mrcyfan]

He must be an honest 7 foot. The camera cut off the top of his head…..

 

[CyberJJ]

dude looks 35 in that pic 😦

Greg Odenesk

 

[Mohawkeye]

Not the usual Fran recruit. He seems to have minimal offensive skills, but can probably provide a good interior defender and rebounder. Averaged over 6 boards in 19min/

I think Fran has definitely trended towards more athletic or thicker interior players the last couple of classes.

 

[HoustonREDHawk]

I think Fran has definitely trended towards more athletic or thicker interior players the last couple of classes.

Yep, although this guy is more long than thick. Guessing from his FG% that he knows how to dunk. Problem is that you can't have a bench full of prospects, just like you shouldn't have a bunch of unathletic guys who can shoot.

 

[chaneccooms]

This guard out of Michigan that Iowa is pursuing just signed with the same agent who represents Drew Thelwell.

 

[icwesthawk]

I love it when high school ball players sign with agents. What could go wrong?

 

[chaneccooms]

I love it when high school ball players sign with agents. What could go wrong?

Given that high school players are now being offered large sums of money, it makes sense to enlist the help of representation.

 

[Matt1nb7]

 

[Buffalo43]

On Hawk Talk tonight Fran said they are looking at a few jucos he said they have become a forgotten breed with the transfer portal

 

[tumorboy]

On Hawk Talk tonight Fran said they are looking at a few jucos he said they have become a forgotten breed with the transfer portal

Hopefully they can find some decent JC PG’s could use a couple.

 

[chaneccooms]

Well, that was certainly an unusual recruitment.

 

[chaneccooms]

 

[Franisdaman]

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[tumorboy]

Some writer from 247 gave a crystal ball to Iowa with high confidence. For a center from Indiana Dezmon Briscoe.

 

[Franisdaman]

Nana has not played so far this season (shoulder). Iowa is 1 of 12 teams who's contacted him. His plan is to enroll at his new school next summer and then play in 2025-2026.

 

[tumorboy]

I’d assume adding Briscoe ends Iowa’s involvement with the Juco Big. Has to be guards and wings from here.

 

[tumorboy]

Nana has not played so far this season (shoulder). Iowa is 1 of 12 teams who's contacted him. His plan is to enroll at his new school next summer and then play in 2025-2026.

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How many PF’s Fran going after. Someone must be leaving.

 

[LukaDuka]

I’d assume adding Briscoe ends Iowa’s involvement with the Juco Big. Has to be guards and wings from here.

Need to bring in three guards next year. 2 pg's and a shooting guard.

 

[tumorboy]

Need to bring in three guards next year. 2 pg's and a shooting guard.

Convince the NCAA Telwell need another year of eligibility. Honestly not worried about SG that much. A couple Combo type guards is what I’d love.

 

[LukaDuka]

Convince the NCAA Telwell need another year of eligibility. Honestly not worried about SG that much. A couple Combo type guards is what I’d love.

Most shooting guards these days are anywhere from 6ft4in to 6ft7in "combo" types. Small forward/shooting guards. But I do believe we need to continue to recruit these 3 point sharp shooters who can stretch the floor. Just need more who can also create off the dribble drive as well.

 

[tumorboy]

Most shooting guards these days are anywhere from 6ft4in to 6ft7in "combo" types. Small forward/shooting guards. But I do believe we need to continue to recruit these 3 point sharp shooters who can stretch the floor. Just need more who can also create off the dribble drive as well.

My preferred prototype would be Gilbert from ISU. A couple of those type. Obviously won’t get his talent level. But that would be the mold.
Lewis would be an outstanding add. But I’m skeptical he doesn’t end up getting a big ACC nil offer late.

 

[icwesthawk]

Just need more who can also create off the dribble drive as well.

 

[Franisdaman]

Isaiah officially visited Iowa on Sep 2, 2023 before committing to Miami 2 weeks later.

 

[Hendy hawk]

Sicum