Joe Wieskamp withdraws from NBA Draft

[Blair Sanderson]

Wieskamp Withdraws From NBA Draft, Returns For Sophomore Season


IOWA CITY, Iowa -- University of Iowa men's basketball player Joe Wieskamp announced on Wednesday that he has withdrawn his name from the 2019 NBA Draft and will return for his sophomore season.


“I am excited to announce that I will be returning to the University of Iowa for my sophomore season,” said Wieskamp. “I learned a lot of valuable information going through the NBA Draft process that will help me continue to grow now, and in the future when I decide to take that next step. But for now, my focus is helping this Iowa team be the best that we can be. The future is bright! Go Hawks!”


Wieskamp (6-foot-6, 205 pounds)was second in the Big Ten Conference in 3-point accuracy (.424, 59-of-139), and ranked third on the Hawkeyes in scoring (11.1 ppg) and steals (32), and second in rebounding (4.9 rpg) lastseason as a freshman. The native of Muscatine, Iowa, twice earned Big Ten Freshman of the Week honors and sank the game-winning basket on a baseline 3-pointer that grazed the side of the backboard with 0.2 seconds remaining to propel Iowa to a 71-69 triumph at Rutgers. Wieskamp, who was one of five player's voted to the All-Big Ten Freshman Team, tied an Iowa's single-game 3-point percentage record when he made all six 3-point attempts in Iowa's 24-point win over Illinois (Jan. 20), tying Jeff Horner (2004 versus Penn State) and Jim Bartels (1995 at Ohio State).


“We are happy to have Joe back for his sophomore season,” said Iowa head coachFran McCaffery. “I’m glad that Joe had the opportunity to go through the process and receive feedback from NBA personnel. I’m incredibly proud of the professional approach Joe took during this process. This experience provided him feedback on what he needs to work on as he strives to reach his full potential and play at the highest level. Joe is a valuable member of our team on and off the court, and we look forward to him being a leader for us next season."

 

[Nohawknamesleft]

Finally some good news!

 

[LarryMullenJr.]

This announcement left out the part about him needing both knees replaced and missing next season.

 

[Capital1Hawk]

When it rains it.... wait sun just came out!

 

[Suterman]

The last 2 pieces of basketball news have been positive. Billy Taylor and now this. The needle is pointing back up.

 

[Ballhawk1221]

I'm glad and everything, but "No Bad News" is not the same thing as "Good News."

 

[NevadaHawk]

I was confident Joe would be coming back but it is nice to have it confirmed.

 

[HawkRugged17]

 

[SDHawkDoc]

Would have been interesting, to say the least, had JW announced the opposite.

 

[HoustonREDHawk]

No surprise. I wonder what his expectations are for the next year. I hope we are lucky enough to have him stay as Hawk for at least two more years.

 

[SDHawkDoc]

No surprise. I wonder if what his expectations are for the next year. I hope we are lucky enough to have him stay as Hawk for at least two more years.

If he gets a lot stronger over the summer and follows that up with a breakout all B1G type year it's not hard to see him leaving.

Still has a lot of ground to cover from where he is now to even being in the conversation as a possible low first rounder. But it's not so far fetched.

 

[Gridiron24]

I'm thinking he plays two more seasons in the B&G.

 

[Hawk-Fran1]

Has to work on his handle and ability to create for others to play at next level. mid range game as well. I’m confident after junior year he will be more than ready.

 

[LaQuintaHawkeye]

Did anyone really expect different?

Next year we’ll be holding our collective breaths.

 

[Ballhawk1221]

I'm thinking he plays two more seasons in the B&G.

We'll be lucky if he does.

 

[mtdew_fever]

I am really looking forward to seeing how he does in his 2nd year. It all depends on how he is able to find his own shot.

Is Adam Haluska a reasonable comparison?

 

[fivecardstud14]

I am really looking forward to seeing how he does in his 2nd year. It all depends on how he is able to find his own shot.

Is Adam Haluska a reasonable comparison?

Haluska is probably a better athlete but I think Wieskamp should be the better basketball player. Plus Wieskamp is a good athlete himself. He's got some Jayson Tatum & Evan Fournier in him. With Bohannon out, I'd like to see Wieskamp being used like Brandon Roy was for Portland back in the day.

 

[HoustonREDHawk]

I expect JoeW to have the ball more this year and to drive more frequently. I love how he gets the ball quickly to the back board and uses his body to shield bigger defenders, instead of trying to make wild acrobatic shots. I think Joe needs to mostly work on getting stronger, improving his ball handling and ability to get his own shot, and to maybe get a little quicker release on his shot. He already had good court awareness and toughness. He now needs to step forward as a leader and be more aggressive.

 

[SDHawkDoc]

I expect JoeW to have the ball more this year and to drive more frequently. I love how he gets the ball quickly to the back board and uses his body to shield bigger defenders, instead of trying to make wild acrobatic shots. I think Joe needs to mostly work on getting stronger, improving his ball handling and ability to get his own shot, and to maybe get a little quicker release on his shot. He already had good court awareness and toughness. He now needs to step forward as a leader and be more aggressive.

Honestly, this is his team. He should have the virtual green light on the offensive end of the floor. I expect the lion's share of shot attempts coming from him, with Bohannon second if he's available.
He's the guy on the team with the most legitimate shot at being an all B1G player.

 

[iabcuda]

I believe we can still be competitive next year, but the margin of error will be paper thin. How the game is called will affect us. Garza or Joe in foul trouble & we are toast.

 

[HoustonREDHawk]

I believe we can still be competitive next year, but the margin of error will be paper thin. How the game is called will affect us. Garza or Joe in foul trouble & we are toast.

With Kriener, Nunge, and Pemsl, I think we can function without Luka for parts of a game. Unless the new guys (CJF, JoeT and PMac) are all ready to contribute, we will struggle big-time if JoeW is out.

 

[kcgolfer]

The last 2 pieces of basketball news have been positive. Billy Taylor and now this. The needle is pointing back up.

I would say the Billy Taylor hire remains to be seen if it's good news.