The first D1 transfer in connection with Iowa State basketball this spring is former Virginia Cavalier Marial Shayok.
Iowa State basketball has been connected to its first Division 1 transfer. Former Virginia Cavalier Marial Shayok is visiting Iowa State this weekend per several reports.
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CBS Sports’ Jon Rothstein was the first to mention the Ottawa native’s connection to Ames.
Virginia transfer Marial Shayok will visit Iowa State this weekend, per a source. Sit one, play one.
— Jon Rothstein (@JonRothstein) April 5, 2017
Shayok will have to sit out next year, but will be eligible in 2018-2019. So what does the former Cav bring to the table?
At 6’5″, 213 pounds, Shayok has the right physical stature to battle opposing shooting guards in the Big 12. His size also gives him the ability to play both wing spots, which is a big boost in a system that thrives off versatility. Think of him as a bulkier Matt Thomas, who stood 6’5″, 193 pounds as a senior.
Shayok was the third-leading scorer for Virginia this year. The junior averaged 8.9 points and 2.4 rebounds per game while shooting 44 percent from the field and 33 percent from deep. His defensive presence, 30 steals for UVA, is likely what has him as a priority target for ISU in early April. Even if Shayok isn’t a big-time scorer, he still possesses three years of quality ACC experience.
Based on Iowa State’s current scholarship chart, Shayok would occupy a spot in the guard rotation alongside Lindell Wigginton, Darius McNeill, Nick Weiler-Babb and Jakloby Long. It’s hard to know what the offense will look like with that group, but the defensive potential is sky high assuming that group is intact going into 2018-2019.
There is plenty of time for ISU to fill its four remaining scholarships. The team is in pursuit of several junior college players and potentially a graduate transfer. Things are constantly in flux this time of year, but Shayok could be the first domino to fall after this weekend.