Iowa State basketball: Cyclones steal Zion Griffin from Kansas
By Doug Winkey
Iowa State basketball reeled in its first target for 2018. The Cyclones ultimately outbid powerhouse Kansas for Chicago forward Zion Griffin.
Last week I mentioned that Iowa State basketball needed to grab some big names in recruiting. The Cyclones are still waiting on the names in that article, but they did get good news Tuesday evening when forward Zion Griffin committed. His services were highly prized after a big summer. ISU ultimately stole the Chicago native from big programs including Kansas and Illinois.
The young man from Hinsdale South High in the Chicago suburb of Darien is listed at 6’6″, 208 pounds. That is a Division I frame if I’ve ever seen one. He used that size to average 17.3 points and 8.7 rebounds as a junior. Griffin will shift over to either the stretch or swing forward spot as a Cyclone. That spot could allow him to function as a slasher from the wing over one who has to create from down low. He is a big addition that will battle plenty of similarly-sized players for playing time starting in 2018-2019.
It’s absolutely key that ISU was able to steal the four-star prospect away from Kansas. KU typically wins out in these recruiting battles, but not this one. Steve Prohm’s ability to build personal relationships with prospects has paid off big this time, similarly to how he reeled in Lindell Wigginton for this coming season. Being able to outduel a coach like Bill Self for a recruit says great things about this program’s continued viability.
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Nailing down the first piece of the 2018 class is key for any program, and Griffin to ISU is no exception. Now that Griffin is on board, watch to see if he brings fellow Chicagoan George Conditt along with him. Tyler Harris from Memphis also counts the Cyclones among his top choices. Those three would be an outstanding freshman group to develop.