The first weekend in September won’t just be a big one for Iowa State’s fall sports.
It’ll also be a big weekend for Iowa State men’s basketball as they’ll host four-star combo guard Darius McNeill for an official visit, a source confirmed to Cyclone Fanatic on Friday.
The 6-foot-3-inch, Houston native, is rated as a four-star prospect by 247 Composite. He also holds offers from Baylor, LSU, Cincinnati, SMU and a handful of others.
“The way Coach (Steve) Prohm and his assistants have been getting after me every day,” McNeill told CF over the phone on Friday when asked what’s stuck out about Iowa State. “They’ve really been trying to build a relationship with me and my Mom.”
Prohm and his staff first started contacting McNeill after the first live recruiting period last month. He recently went on a visit to Texas, but they’re still evaluating before extending a potential offer since head coach Shaka Smart was busy with Team USA duties during July.
McNeill is an explosive athlete with a smooth left-handed shooting stroke. He’s got a good handle and is very capable finishing down-low in traffic. The thing that really sticks out about him is his speed that allows him to out-run defenders in the open court.
He seems to fit the mold of the prototypical guard that can slide between the point and wing.
“I know Coach Prohm coached (Cameron Payne) that’s with (Oklahoma City) right now,” McNeill said. “I hear a lot that he’s big on point guards and that’s what I’ve really locked in on.”
McNeill doesn’t really have a timeline for a decision, but did say that he plans to take his time before making a commitment. He’ll likely take a few visits then talk things over with his family before making any serious moves.
He’s Iowa State’s third confirmed official visitor, joining Wisconsin forward Terrence Lewis, who is currently on campus, and Mississippi forward KeyShawn Feazell, who will visit on Aug. 20.
“I want to see how people around you treat the athletes and stuff,” McNeill said about the visit. “I want to be sure I’ll feel comfortable around there.”
