Iowa State men’s basketball coach T.J. Otzelberger helped his program in bringing in the sixth highest rated recruiting class in the country on Wednesday.
The Cyclones are bringing in four new players to add to the roster beginning with the 2023-24 season.
“This is a banner recruiting class for our program,” Otzelberger said in a release. “The character and work habit these guys exude will benefit the Iowa State program for years to come.”
Here’s what Otzelberger had to say about the class in Iowa State’s video releases:
Omaha Biliew
Forward – 6’8″
Waukee, Iowa
“Omaha is an elite competitor,” Otzelberger said. “(He’s) somebody that, on every possession, he impacts winning. Defensively, he’s as good as anybody in the country at switching screens, guarding the basketball and making plays at the rim. Offensively, he’s a guy that can facilitate offense, make plays off the dribble, finish at the rim, run the floor… He’s dynamic at putting the ball on the floor to get to the basket.
“Omaha is a guy that when you get to know him, he’s a talker,” Otzelberger said. “At first he seems a little bit quiet and unassuming, but he’s extremely intelligent – somebody that’s very witty and smart and just thinks things ahead.”
Milan Momcilovic
Forward – 6’8″
Pewaukee, Wisconsin
“Milan is a tremendous offensive talent,” Otzelberger said. “He’s somebody that’s skill level is really high. He can make plays, facilitate offense, lead the break, bring the ball in transition. He’s a big-time shot maker with excellent touch to the block, the mid-post and out to the three. Also he can create the advantage off the bounce. Defensively, he’s highly competitive. He’s somebody that plays with a lot of activity and communication. He has wide hands and has a lot of pride in his defense.”
“Milan is calm, cool and collected,” Otzelberger said. “He’s somebody that’s very balanced as a person and as a basketball player. He doesn’t really get too high or get too low. He’s really sharp, smart and somebody that’s very witty and funny.”
Jelani Hamilton
Guard – 6’5″
Marrietta, Georgia
“Jelani Hamilton is a knock-down shooting wing,” Otzelberger said. “He’s got positional size and athleticism. He can make plays in transition off the bounce, attacking the rim. Defensively, he gives us versatility and the ability to guard multiple positions. His length and anticipation, and as a guard at 6-foot-5, he has great rebounding prowess.”
“Jelani has got a bright smile,” Otzelberger said. “He’s always cracking a joke. He’s somebody that’s always making you laugh. He’s great for your team chemistry, your spirit – (he’s somebody) that’s a joy to be around.”
Kayden Fish
Forward – 6’6″
Kansas City, Missouri
“Kayden is a winner,” Otzelberger said. “And everything Kayden does flows into winning. Defensively, he’s somebody that has versatility to guard multiple positions. He’s an elite defender on and off the basketball. (He’s) a tremendous rebounder – a guy you can count on every single play to block out. Offensively, he can play multiple positions. He can knock down shots from the perimeter. He can score around the goal. He can slash. Kayden just finds a way to make his teams win.”
“Kayden is a guy that – his personality jumps off the page at you,” Otzelberger said. “He’s somebody that you can tell when he plays off the court, he’s just a very dynamic personality. He’s a bright young man, a very effective communicator. Just overall, a great guy.”
