Basketball

RECRUITING: 2025 target Jamarion Batemon says Iowa State’s ‘number 1’

Milwaukee Academy of Science’s Jamarion Batemon (15) takes one to the hoop during the WIAA Division 3 boys basketball sectional final against St. Thomas More on Saturday, March 11, 2023, at Waukesha South High School. © Scott Ash / Now News Group / USA TODAY NETWORK

Iowa State hosted 2025 guard Jamarion Batemon on an unofficial visit over the weekend in its latest round of recruiting visits for the fall period.

The Cyclones have seen a number of talented athletes, but maybe not yet one that came away with as surefire about the visit to put the Cyclones at the top of his list.

“Number one,” Batemon said of where the program ranks right now on his list. “Absolutely.”

The 6-foot-3, 170-pound high school junior has offers to Marquette, Illinois, Wake Forest and Cal Poly, officially.

He met with coach T.J. Otzelberger during the visit to go over the type of fit Batemon would play and also watched a practice while he was in town.

“I got to see what the playing style looked like in a real game,” Batemon said. “I met with (coach Otzelberger). He showed me some film on how I would fit in.”

Iowa State wants to see Batemon improve in the areas of ball handling and vocal leadership – the latter being a trait that Otzelberger prioritizes typically with young prospects.

Batemon will play his junior year of prep basketball at the Milwaukee Academy of Science.

It’s still early in the recruiting calendar for the class, and Batemon’s recruitment is still open, but there is certainly some mutual interest to keep an eye on this winter.

“They really want me,” Batemon said of Iowa State. “They told me I’m their top priority.”

@cyclonefanatic