Hit the road today and spent some time at the Under Armour event in Chicago. All of their top AAU teams were there and it included a few 2020 Iowa targets. Mainly just guards at this one from a Hawkeye perspective.
Common theme with every player is they don't have favorites and really not close to making a decision or scheduling any visits. So, if you are looking for that sort of info, unfortunately that's going to have to wait a while.
First player I saw was 2020 Ty Berry, who is from Kansas. He's a pretty smooth player. Knows how to run a team and plays under control.He's listed at 6-4, but probably closer to 6-2, I think. Kirk Speraw is leading up the recruiting efforts with him and they are in touch a lot. Had an official to Iowa already and enjoyed it. Said the guys on the team were very close and likes the Iowa coaches. Said he's going to stay in the midwest for sure. Best guess is K State is the school to watch since it's close to home.
Next player was Chanse Robinson from Louisiana. Really like him as a point guard. He called himself a bulldog type player and that's what he showed on the floor. Hit a game winning floater on Friday night. Got off to a slow start on Saturday, but really came on. Tough defensive guard. Not a great shooter, but kid is tough. He said Coach Dillard is leading up the recruiting for Iowa. Has talked about trying to get up to Iowa City and hopes to make that happen. Plans to take an official to Wichita State soon and talked about Ole Miss quite a bit. Says he's not tied to the south and watched Iowa play a few times this year and likes the style of play.
Also had a chance to see Bryce Thompson play twice today. Very intriguing wing guard. Didn't shoot it great, but he can get to the basket. Listed at 6-4, but probably closer to 6-3. On the skinny side, but plays strong. Visited Iowa for a game this year and loved it. Spoke very highly of Fran and Coach Speraw today and the relationship he has with them. Likes Iowa's style of play. No visits upcoming. Kansas has offered, but not sure how hard they will push. Think the biggest threats will be the Oklahoma schools.
Got a chance to catch up with five star guard Jalen Suggs today. Great kid. Man is he a good player. Totally under control at all times and made some amazing passes. His vision is special. Can see why he's a very highly sought QB. Pretty good shooter too and strong around the rim. Asked him about the schools recruiting him the hardest and he listed several. Iowa was the second school he mentioned. Said Coach Francis has been on him for a long time. Way before everyone else. They have built a great friendship. Can go to him for anything. Kind of reminds me of what Donovan Mitchell told me a few years back about Coach Francis. Really likes Fran a lot too and has enjoyed visiting Iowa City. He's not close to making a decision about which sport he will pick, but I think he's leaning basketball..maybe. Might be narrowing his list sometime soon. Talked a lot about his trip to Gonzaga today, fwiw.
Also talked to 2021 forward Max Christie from Illinois. Five star kid playing for the Illinois Wolves. Terrific young guy and very mature for his age. Visited Iowa this year and really enjoyed it. Coach Speraw is in touch with him and at a lot of his open gyms. Right now he's more of a regional recruit, but Kansas is getting involved. He's going to be a national type recruit eventually. Really long with a great jumper and a smooth game way beyond his years. He's not even thinking longer term about his recruitment.
Another name to file away that I wouldn't be shocked to see Iowa get involved with in the 2021 class is Chet Holmgren from MN. He plays with Suggs. He's 6-11. Lanky has heck, but he's going to eventually fill out and he has some skills. Good shot blocker around the rim and a really nice jumper beyond three. Wisconsin, MN, and Illini have offered. Just kind of seems like the type of player Fran would be interested in.
Common theme with every player is they don't have favorites and really not close to making a decision or scheduling any visits. So, if you are looking for that sort of info, unfortunately that's going to have to wait a while.
First player I saw was 2020 Ty Berry, who is from Kansas. He's a pretty smooth player. Knows how to run a team and plays under control.He's listed at 6-4, but probably closer to 6-2, I think. Kirk Speraw is leading up the recruiting efforts with him and they are in touch a lot. Had an official to Iowa already and enjoyed it. Said the guys on the team were very close and likes the Iowa coaches. Said he's going to stay in the midwest for sure. Best guess is K State is the school to watch since it's close to home.
Next player was Chanse Robinson from Louisiana. Really like him as a point guard. He called himself a bulldog type player and that's what he showed on the floor. Hit a game winning floater on Friday night. Got off to a slow start on Saturday, but really came on. Tough defensive guard. Not a great shooter, but kid is tough. He said Coach Dillard is leading up the recruiting for Iowa. Has talked about trying to get up to Iowa City and hopes to make that happen. Plans to take an official to Wichita State soon and talked about Ole Miss quite a bit. Says he's not tied to the south and watched Iowa play a few times this year and likes the style of play.
Also had a chance to see Bryce Thompson play twice today. Very intriguing wing guard. Didn't shoot it great, but he can get to the basket. Listed at 6-4, but probably closer to 6-3. On the skinny side, but plays strong. Visited Iowa for a game this year and loved it. Spoke very highly of Fran and Coach Speraw today and the relationship he has with them. Likes Iowa's style of play. No visits upcoming. Kansas has offered, but not sure how hard they will push. Think the biggest threats will be the Oklahoma schools.
Got a chance to catch up with five star guard Jalen Suggs today. Great kid. Man is he a good player. Totally under control at all times and made some amazing passes. His vision is special. Can see why he's a very highly sought QB. Pretty good shooter too and strong around the rim. Asked him about the schools recruiting him the hardest and he listed several. Iowa was the second school he mentioned. Said Coach Francis has been on him for a long time. Way before everyone else. They have built a great friendship. Can go to him for anything. Kind of reminds me of what Donovan Mitchell told me a few years back about Coach Francis. Really likes Fran a lot too and has enjoyed visiting Iowa City. He's not close to making a decision about which sport he will pick, but I think he's leaning basketball..maybe. Might be narrowing his list sometime soon. Talked a lot about his trip to Gonzaga today, fwiw.
Also talked to 2021 forward Max Christie from Illinois. Five star kid playing for the Illinois Wolves. Terrific young guy and very mature for his age. Visited Iowa this year and really enjoyed it. Coach Speraw is in touch with him and at a lot of his open gyms. Right now he's more of a regional recruit, but Kansas is getting involved. He's going to be a national type recruit eventually. Really long with a great jumper and a smooth game way beyond his years. He's not even thinking longer term about his recruitment.
Another name to file away that I wouldn't be shocked to see Iowa get involved with in the 2021 class is Chet Holmgren from MN. He plays with Suggs. He's 6-11. Lanky has heck, but he's going to eventually fill out and he has some skills. Good shot blocker around the rim and a really nice jumper beyond three. Wisconsin, MN, and Illini have offered. Just kind of seems like the type of player Fran would be interested in.
