Just a few quick thoughts on what was an eventful Saturday in the world of Iowa State basketball recruiting…
First things first, Troy transfer Javan Johnson committed to Steve Prohm on the final day of his official visit (Saturday). Johnson will have two years to play after sitting out the 2019-20 season. You can read more about him by CLICKING HERE.
100% committed 💛❤️ @CycloneMBB let’s rock 🌪 pic.twitter.com/S63QyJ8XHN
— Javan Johnson (@javan_johnson1) May 11, 2019
That wasn’t the only news though.
Iowa State missed out on perhaps its top target of the spring – Little Rock graduate transfer Rayjon Tucker – who committed to Penny Hardaway and Memphis.
Little Rock grad transfer Rayjon Tucker has committed to Memphis, he told ESPN.
“Just the relationship I built with Penny and Madlock, and the learning I can get from the staff to get me to the next level.”
20.3 PPG, 6.7 RPG, 41.1% from 3.
— Jeff Borzello (@jeffborzello) May 11, 2019
A few thoughts on this…
No doubt, of all the guys on the board to start the spring, Tucker was the most important when it comes to immediate help NEXT SEASON. He averaged over 20 points per game and was a 41 percent 3-point shooter as a junior at Little Rock.
I’m told there is a still a chance that Tucker will go pro…
Nonetheless, it’s a tough blow for next year’s Cyclone team as Tucker would have been a huge piece.
There is still plenty of hope left for Iowa State though.
Rasir Bolton, a transfer out of Penn State, is also on campus this weekend and with three years of eligibility remaining, one has to imagine that the former Nittany Lion is priority No. 1 for Steve Prohm with one scholarship remaining. It is also worth noting that there seems to be momentum behind the scenes that Bolton, a 6-foot-2 guard who averaged 11.2 points per game as a freshman, could be immediately eligible next season if a waiver is given to him (For what it’s worth, I do not know the specifics of what this case would be).
Regardless, with a solid four-year prospect in Caleb Grill on the board along with Javan Johnson, Iowa State’s spring is going to be just fine. Adding that immediately eligible transfer to help with next year’s squad would definitely be a make it a slam dunk.
