RECRUITING: Cyclones in the running for Jacob Toppin

Dec 1, 2019; Morgantown, WV, USA; Rhode Island Rams forward Jacob Toppin (21) shoots a three pointer during the first half against the West Virginia Mountaineers at WVU Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Ben Queen-USA TODAY Sports

Iowa State is among the top-three for Rhode Island transfer forward Jacob Toppin.

Toppin, the brother of 2020 consensus national player of the year Obi Toppin, was a lightly recruited forward in the class of 2019 before landing with the Rams after also receiving offers from Cal Poly, Stony Brook, Central Connecticut State and Quinnipiac. He is also considering Oregon and Kentucky during his second recruitment.

The 6-foot-8, 185-pound wing averaged 5.1 points and 3.9 rebounds while appearing in 30 games for Rhode Island as a freshman in 2019-20.

Iowa State still has four scholarships open for the 2020-21 season after missing on a few of the higher-profile transfer players, including Justin Turner, who opted to stay at Bowling Green, Harvard transfer Bryce Aiken, who chose Seton Hall, and Terrell Gomez, who plans to attend San Diego State.

The Cyclones also will be among the finalists for Michigan transfer David DeJulius when he announces his college decision on Thursday.

Jared Stansbury

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Jared a native of Clarinda, Iowa, started as the Cyclone Fanatic intern in August 2013, primarily working as a videographer until starting on the women’s basketball beat prior to the 2014-15 season. Upon earning his Bachelor’s degree in Journalism and Mass Communication from Iowa State in May 2016, Jared was hired as the site’s full-time staff writer, taking over as the primary day-to-day reporter on football and men’s basketball. He was elevated to the position of managing editor in January 2020. He is a regular contributor on 1460 KXNO in Des Moines and makes regular guest appearances on radio stations across the Midwest. Jared resides in Ankeny with his four-year-old puggle, Lolo.

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