Prohm: Recruiting is key heading into first full offseason

CHICAGO — About 30 minutes after the end to year one of the Steve Prohm era at Iowa State (via Friday’s 84-71 loss to Virginia in the Sweet 16), I asked the leader of Cyclone basketball a simple question: What did you learn in your first year on the job?

“I’ve learned a ton,” Prohm said. “It starts and ends with recruiting, first and foremost. This time of year you have to have great players and be well coached. We have to recruit our tails off. We have to try to add some frontcourt guys here in the spring.”

That’s so true, and refreshing to hear. With the recent additions of Brad Underwood (Oklahoma State) and Jamie Dixon (TCU) to the Big 12, this league won’t be getting any easier.

Iowa State currently doesn’t have a scholarship open to add players in the offseason but like I tell fans all of the time, this will work itself out. It always does. Players transfer. It’s part of the game.

Prohm’s staff has already added one body to next year’s team – a 6-foot-7 graduate transfer forward out of Northern Illinois named Darrell Bowie. He will bring immediate depth to the frontcourt.

Bowie will join two junior college transfers – a forward in Emmanuel Malou and guard Donovan Jackson. Two prep prospects, Oklahoma guard Jakolby Long and California forward Solomon Young will be on campus this summer as well. 

Don’t forget about Nick Weiler-Babb, who sat out this season due to NCAA transfer rules,  

Prohm then elaborated on what his first full offseason as Iowa State’s head coach will look like.

“I will take this summer to continue to improve preparation wise and defensively,” Prohm said. “I think offensively, over the last couple of years I have been in a good offensive rhythm from last year to this year – those are two of the most efficient offensive teams in the country. We will focus on defense more to really get better on that end so we can give people some different looks. Recruiting is always No. 1.”

Always.