Jan 7, 2017; Ames, IA, USA; Iowa State Cyclones 4 star recruit Cameron Lard sits on the bench before the game against the Texas Longhorns at James H. Hilton Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-USA TODAY Sports
There’s been much discussion about whether or not newest Iowa State basketball player Cameron Lard will see the floor for the Cyclones this year.
On Thursday, while meeting the media for the first time since his arrival in Ames, 6-foot-9, 220-pound said playing this season isn’t even on his mind.
“I’m worrying about getting through school,” Lard said. “And getting my body ready for next year.”
The Louisiana-native arrived on campus on Jan. 7, the day of Iowa State’s win against Texas. It was the end of a months long process that included Lard returning to his prep school, Pro Vision Academy, to retake several classes.
Some had wondered whether Lard would ever make it to Ames, but that doubt never crossed his mind.
“I’m a basketball player,” Lard said. “That’s all I’ve ever did in my life, so getting here was all I was basically focused on.”
Iowa State head coach Steve Prohm said Lard has started the process of working with strength and conditioning coach Pete Link. He’ll start individual workouts with the Iowa State staff sometime in the next few weeks, but is still only observing live practice.
“We’re at a pace in practice right now we’re going so fast to where it’s hard to just throw him in and slow down to teach him,” Prohm said. “He’ll start individual workouts then obviously he’s in class and everything but he’s doing good. It’s good to have him here. We’re just going to use this semester to get him better academically, get him better physically and then obviously next year he’ll be ready to go.”
