Omaha Biliew Commits to Iowa State!

[CyLyte2]

Just think of where we could be at today if we didn't hire the Red Baron as president and JP could have got his man.

No kidding. What a debacle.

 

[GMackey32]

Yep, and even if they do value the money, there's an argument to be made for investing your time in a program that can build your skills and work ethic, and make you even more valuable in the near future.

Stanford Marshmallow Experiment in the flesh

 

[Lyon309Cy]

Omaha was already a top 25 player in his class as a Soph. at Waukee. Yes he probably had to play the typical AAU circuit to get there, but probably did not need the year of prep school. Now, he made the decision to do that to better develop, and I can't argue with that choice. This is what he plans his career to be, so it makes perfectly fine sense if that's what he wants to do.

Whether it's prep school, AAU, USSSA baseball, personal training, and all these money making things for kid's sports, it's clearly out of hand. But it's here to stay and unfortunately for most kids just to be able to actually play baseball and basketball in a large high school it's damn near impossible to compete if a kid doesn't partake in at least some of that stuff. It would be great if it was like 25 years ago in podunk Iowa, when I could play all the sports in HS, do some offseason stuff with teammates and that was it. But that's just not reality. However, there's a way to do these types of things without breaking the bank or burning kids out. We do volunteer-based USSSA baseball, and my son's team was more successful than a vast majority of the high dollar academy type programs. And we always kept it to 5-6 local tournaments and 2-3 practices per week. Our approach was to err on the side of kids wishing there was more. For basketball, it takes parent volunteers and the school getting you into the gym to practice during the week. I have volunteered to do both of these things for many years, and am just wrapping it up, as my youngest is now entering HS this year. So you can do it, but it's a hell of a lot of work, and few parents are willing to do it. My goal in those things was simply get kids in a position so they could have a chance to play in HS. It was painful going through it, but when my daughter was in 5th grade I opened it up to any kid that said they wanted to do it. And the girls on that team were literally the only remotely functional basketball players on their team when they played school ball in 8th grade. Now in a 5A HS the only girls even out in their class are girls I coached as kids. And there are kids in other grades that play Attack, but frankly that girls program consists of a team of phenoms that win national tournaments

The burnout problem is real, but personally as a kid I don't think I could ever get enough sports camps and tournaments. Those were the best times of my life as a kid.

I really was impressed with Omaha at Waukee as a Soph. He played a secondary role to DeVries and to some extent Sandford. He had a great feel for when to cut, when to attack the offensive glass. He was clearly skilled and probably could've been more assertive, but he was a part of a really good team, and he did what made that team play it's best. Looking forward to seeing him again this year.

Man, I hope he picks the good guys. What a class that will be!

I agree with most everything you're saying here and don't want to resurrect a pointless debate, especially since I basically agree with you. I just wanted to point out that Omaha is not from Waukee. When I made my point about him leaving home to pursue basketball I was referring to him moving to Waukee after 8th grade. Without getting noticed in AAU in 8th grade his life and prospects would be very different.
His path here would make for an interesting interview/article if he opens up about it.

 

[cyfan21]

Just think of where we could be at today if we didn't hire the Red Baron as president and JP could have got his man.

I was thinking the exact same thing. Might even still have VEISHEA. Who knows???

 

[madguy30]

Yep, and even if they do value the money, there's an argument to be made for investing your time in a program that can build your skills and work ethic, and make you even more valuable in the near future.

I think the need for a strong connection (ISU/Ames community) is under appreciated for how highly it can be valued by some. Even if it's just a year, that's a full year of what can be a really good experience.

 

[PSYclone22]

On average how many 5 stars are given annually?

ESPN 5 stars

2023: 23
2022: 23
2021: 24
2020: 29
2019: 26

 

[JP4CY]

Just think of where we could be at today if we didn't hire the Red Baron as president and JP could have got his man.

I know I'd rather have the Red Baron pizza guy as my pilot vs the Red Baron prez.

 

[CyPunch]

Cameron Christie is another name I've heard as a possibility in this class, though I don't think we're the favorite.

Cameron Christie Recruit Interests

247sports.com

We aren't involved here anymore. I know Minnesota really wants Christie

 

[cycub51]

Could you imagine Omaha playing with Monte. Monte would have 25 assists to Omaha for dunks each game.

I thought about that and thought too bad tyrese never got to play with a bouncy big man. He was so much flashier than monte and would be throwing oops all day to Omaha.

 

[somecyguy]

Just think of where we could be at today if we didn't hire the Red Baron as president and JP could have got his man.

I don't think it would have turned out the same. I believe it was important for TJ to learn how to be a head coach rather than learn at Iowa State. I think that time spent was invaluable and partially why he has been successful.

 

[allfourcy]

Also may be the offensive back to basket type that makes a world of difference.

Omaha not a back to basket type...... imo
Nor do I think he's projected to be

 

[JohnnyFive]

 

[MartyFine]

 

[Statefan10]

That is ******* awesome

 

[CRcyclone6]

Lets drink some Hawk tears:

“Maybe his dream is to contend for an NIT bid.” TDJ7

“So isu will continue to try and win games scoring 44 points. Sounds so “exciting”.” HerkyFan

“Not even close to a top 5 class” HawkOn17

“Good get but a big question is, Will this kid be on their roster at this time next year?” IsaacHarrison

“Am I reading correctly that this upcoming season will be his 4th different high school in four years?” MitchLL

This one is near the top:

 

[JP4CY]

This one is near the top:

Ethics?

 

[allfourcy]

It’s amazing what they’ve done with legacies and local fans. If Fran could actually recruit outside of that circle, they might have something. As it is, those fans are just frustrated by the ceiling that’s on their team due to having too many slow white guys.

I'm somewhat in the other boat on this. I actually think he's recruited pretty well (maybe not elite point guards) but guys that really fit their system and they develop. In other words, I feel like for whatever reason, its not a lack of talent thats kept him from making a sweet 16. For heavens sake, they've had All Americans the last 2 or 3 years. And last year a team many analysts picked as a sleeper for the final four. Consistency and defensive end I guess which I know, many attribute to slower guys, but not necessarily the case. Matt Thomas was and Caleb Grill are two of our better defenders.

 

[madguy30]

This one is near the top:

They have such a weird cult.

 

[Kinch]

This one is near the top:

They are jealous. Big time. and in denial.

 

[quasistellar]

I don't know the kid at all but there are still some people and families for whom money isn't everything.

Also, he is free to pursue sponsorships, which is what NIL is SUPPOSED to be about. Schools having organizations paying players without actually USING their NIL is a strangely unregulated grey area.

I'm also surprised I haven't heard anything about NCAA football or basketball video games making any moves to pay players.