Basketball

RECRUITING: Iowa State to host pair of transfers this weekend

Nov 25, 2021; Nassau, BHS; Virginia Commonwealth Rams forward Hason Ward (20) dunks against the Baylor Bears during the first half in the 2021 Battle 4 Atlantis at Imperial Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports

Iowa State is set to host a pair of transfers for official visits this upcoming weekend.

Temple transfer guard, and Iowa State commit, Jeremiah Williams is slated to take his first trip to Ames along with VCU transfer forward Hason Ward, sources tell Cyclone Fanatic.

Williams, a Chicago native, committed to Iowa State last week after three seasons in Philadelphia in which he averaged 9.4 points, 4.2 assists and 3.5 rebounds in 38 games.

Ward appeared in 79 games for the Rams over the last three seasons, averaging 5.4 points and 4.7 rebounds per game. The 6-foot-9 St. Thomas, Barbados native was also a force defensively, blocking 1.5 shots per game during his career.

He averaged a career-high 2.4 blocks as a sophomore in 2020-21.

The potential addition of Ward would be significant as the program looks to remake its frontcourt after the departure of 2021-22 starting center George Conditt. Robert Jones is currently expected to return to the program while Georgetown transfer Tre King will become eligible during the 2022-23 season after sitting out all of last year.

Iowa State currently has three open scholarships for the 2022-23 season as they look to take advantage of the momentum from reaching the Sweet 16 for the first time since 2016 in T.J. Otzelberger’s first season.

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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