Feb 28, 2019; Stanford, CA, USA; Washington State Cougars forward Aljaz Kunc (4) dribbles the ball against the Stanford Cardinal during the second half at Maples Pavilion. Mandatory Credit: Stan Szeto-USA TODAY Sports
Iowa State has landed its first commitment of the T.J. Otzelberger era.
The Cyclones picked up a pledge from Washington State graduate transfer forward Aljaz Kunc on Wednesday, per a university release. This leaves Iowa State with three scholarships currently open pending any further roster attrition.
Kunc is a graduate transfer and will have two years to play.
“Jaz is a skilled frontline player, who has proven at the Power-5 level to have the ability to knock down threes and stretch opposing defenses,” Otzelberger said in the release. “Defensively, he competes and has a high activity level and is able to rebound outside his area.”
Kunc averaged 6.3 points and 4.3 rebounds per game this past season for the Cougars while shooting 33.9 percent from 3-point range and 42.1 percent from the field. The 6-foot-8, 212-pound Slovenian averaged 4.3 points and 3.0 rebounds on 32.3 percent shooting from deep during his three seasons in Pullman.
This addition gives further depth to the Iowa State front court that currently features senior center George Conditt, redshirt freshman center Xavier Foster and junior forward Blake Hinson, who sat out this past season after transferring from Ole Miss. Kunc can likely be projected as a depth-piece with the ability to come off the bench and stretch the floor in Otzelberger’s preferred space and pace style of play.
Stay tuned to Cyclone Fanatic for more on this story.
