Big 12 Basketball: Breaking down every 2017 recruiting class
By Bryan Mauro
Iowa State Cyclones
When Steve Prohm took over the Cyclones after Fred Hoiberg left for the NBA, Iowa State was one of the most exciting teams to watch in the entire country. Under Hoiberg, Iowa State loved to run the floor and shoot and score as fast as they can — all while playing no guys taller than 6’7”.
Yet somehow Hoiberg coached teams seem to win, light up the scoreboard and outrebound the other team. Steve Prohm loves to play the same style and has continued to play that way in his tenure as the head man for the Cyclones. Iowa State is also the only program who has seemed to figure out a way to beat Kansas, as they have beaten them in league play more than anyone else has beaten Kansas.
Lindell Wiggington: This Oak Hill Academy product is one of bounciest kids in the entire class. He can jump and loves to catch lobs for an athletic dunk. He is a good shooter and plays defense well enough that it won’t hurt his game. Lindell has huge shoes to fill at Iowa State as he is planning on taking over for superstar point guard Monte Morris. If Wiggington can be half as good as Monte Morris was for Iowa State, he will become an icon at Hilton.
Kansas Jayhawks
Bill Self has one of the best teams in the country every year. Kansas is where the game of basketball was created by Dr. James Naismith, so it is only fitting that Kansas is one of the most decorated college basketball programs ever. If you have never been to a game at Phog Allen Fieldhouse please put it on your bucket list. It will send chills down your spine when the Rock, Chalk, Jayhawk chant starts. Bill Self has lost single digit games in his tenure at Kansas at home, so hearing the Rock Chalk Jayhawk chant is imminent. Death, Taxes, and Kansas winning at Phog Allen are the three sure things in life.
Billy Preston: This Oak Hill Academy big man is full of life and energy and should fit right in as a Jayhawk. Billy was a decorated high school basketball star. He was always seen at the elite camps and was a McDonald’s All-American.There really is nothing that Billy cant do; he is a good finisher at the rim, can protect the rim, and rebound. Hopefully, the Jayhawks don’t get too attached because Billy is most likely going to be a lottery pick next year.