With a little more than a week left until the early signing period, Iowa State still has three scholarships to fill in its 2017 recruiting class.
They’ve made good headway on filling out the backcourt spots with high school guards Lindell Wigginton, Darius McNeill and Terrence Lewis, but now Steve Prohm and his staff seem to be turning their attention towards the frontcourt.
High school big-man Isaiah Stokes is still one of the staff’s top priorities, but another name emerged last week in Tyler Junior College forward Eden Ewing. The 6-foot-8.5-inch, 215-pound forward picked up an offer earlier in the fall then officially visited Ames last weekend.
“It was cool. Ames is a great place,” Ewing told Cyclone Fanatic about his visit during a phone interview on Tuesday. “The fans are crazy. Those fans really welcomed me and it was just all cool.”
Ewing, who signed with Nevada out of high school, said Purdue is the biggest competitor with Iowa State for his services. He’s planning to announce his college decision on Nov. 9, the first day of the early signing period.
His 247 profile also lists offers from Fresno State and LSU, but he didn’t mention them when asked which schools have most caught his eye.
“The coaching staff, because it’s not my first rodeo being recruited. I was also recruited out of high school,” Ewing said when asked what would be the biggest factor in his decision. “Just people who know all about me and want to see me get better. Not the team, but see me get better.”
Ewing is a big body that could likely come in and contribute right away for Iowa State in 2017-18. He’s a good athlete and has a solid stroke that allows him to step out and hit shots from the mid-range or behind the arc.
He’d also be a guy that would allow Iowa State to balance out its 2017 class with some college-level experience rather than signing six high schools kids.
“They see me as a guy that can step in and add some maturity,” Ewing said. “I bring a lot of enthusiasm and awareness. I bring a lot to the game, I can score, I can do all types of things, but I think I bring a lot of enthusiasm.”
At the end of the day, Ewing’s decision will likely come down to which school can do the best to help him achieve his goals. Iowa State definitely put a good foot forward on that front this weekend.
“What really stood out to me is the way the fans are still that dedicated to their football team even though they’re not a great football team,” Ewing said. “They believe in their school, they believe in their team and they believe in what they can do. That says a lot. That says a lot about the school and their fans’ character.”
