CFTV: Cyclones gear up for 10 practices ahead of Italy Trip

AMES – The Iowa State men’s basketball team had a media availability on Monday ahead of their upcoming preseason trip to Italy.

Coach Steve Prohm as well as players Tyrese Haliburton, Prentiss Nixon, and Michael Jacobson gave updates on how their summers were going and what Italy could bring the team.

Prohm also mentioned his beard.

Before Italy was talked about, Tyrese Haliburton touched on what he’s done so far this summer.

Haliburton also talked about some of his teammates and different sets the Cyclones have been running in practice.

One of those sets includes running Jacobson in the No. 3 spot as a guard. He said the biggest adjustment for that would be on the defensive side of the ball.

One of the teammates getting high praise in Ames has been Penn State transfer, Rasir Bolton.

The potentital sophomore-to-be earned 63 points in a YMCA Capital City League playoff game Sunday, won the dunk contest for the league a week ago, and has wowed his teammates in the process.

Prentiss Nixon compared Bolton to himself.

The question for Bolton remains with Iowa State getting the waiver on if he is eligible to play immediately or not. Right now, Prohm and the team are patiently waiting.

While they wait, the Cyclones gear up for their pre-season trip to Italy where they will play three games. Prohm is focused more so on building team chemistry, though.

The Cyclones’ trip will be a 10-day adventure, stretching from August 10-20 and including tours of the Roman Colosseum, Vatican City, and the Leaning Tower of Pisa on top of the three exhibition games.