Griffin finds right fit with Iowa State
The rise of Hinsdale South’s Zion Griffin and his recruitment has been anything but conventional.
Griffin has gone from an obscure player without a single Division I offer five months ago to the City/ Suburban Hoops Report’s No. 3ranked senior in Illinois and a coveted high- major prospect.
Griffin didn’t waste time on the recruiting front, trimming a growing list on the verge of getting out of control in July to four schools by August. He left Illinois off his short list after receiving an offer from the Illini and visiting unofficially, and he ultimately said no to coach Bill Self and Kansas, one of his four finalists.
On Tuesday, after making only two official visits, the 6- 6 forward ended his recruitment with a commitment to Iowa State and coach Steve Prohm.
‘‘ My family has always told me not to get caught up in the name,’’ said Griffin, who also had midmajor Illinois State among his final four schools. ‘‘ It’s about the best fit. It’s where you see the best fit for yourself over the next four years and where you can see yourself as part of that family in the years after.’’
Griffin felt that ‘‘ ideal fit’’ during the recruiting process with Iowa State and saw it firsthand on his official visit last weekend. As a result, he felt no reason to take his final two official visits to Pittsburgh and Kansas.
Griffin said he was impressed with and appreciated the hands- on approach in recruiting he felt from Prohm, who in two seasons at Iowa State has led the Cyclones to 47 victories, a pair of NCAA tournament berths and an appearance in the Sweet 16.
‘‘ The recruiting process usually starts with the assistant coaches, as the head coaches let the assistants do all the early work,’’ Griffin said. ‘‘ But that wasn’t the case with Iowa State. Coach Prohm was the first one to reach out to me. He was there fromthe beginning, and I appreciated that and felt that genuine care.
‘‘ He also said to me, ‘ Remember that Iowa State was the first high-major program to offer you.’ ’’
After averaging 17.3 points and 8.7 rebounds as a junior, Griffin’s stock soared in July. He became the breakout player of the summer while playing with the Illinois Hoopers on the club circuit.
‘‘ I started to believe Iwas a high-major player that first live weekend in July,’’ Griffin said.
Therewere times Griffin dazzled on the summer circuit. He had 42 points and 11 rebounds and made 9 of 12 three- pointers in a signature performance against Howard Pulley, a Nike EYBL program. His motor, fearlessness, above- the- rim athleticism and much- improved shooting turned heads.
With his growing game, body and athleticism, Griffin possesses the type of enormous upside college coaches covet.
‘‘ I’m pumped,’’ Griffin said of his commitment to Iowa State. ‘‘ My energy is through the roof right now. To be able to play college basketball at this level, I know I have to continue to raisemy game to another level. This is just the beginning.’’