ISU pins basketball future on crop of eight newcomers

**ornryactor** · 07-12-2007, 07:26 AM

Originally Posted by Des Moines Register

The gymnasium at Valley Southwoods School in West Des Moines can feel like a fishbowl.

Just ask Marcus Brister, one of eight newcomers for the Iowa State men's basketball team who signed up to play in the Capital City League.

"That's one of the reasons I chose (the Cyclones), because their fans were so loyal," said Brister, a 6-foot-3 freshman from Duncanville, Texas. "It's a great feeling coming out of high school knowing that you're going to be looked at, and everybody is watching your every move."

Iowa State followers are starved for improvement after missing the NCAA Tournament the past two seasons. Brister is among the recruits trying to win approval while competing in a recreational league this summer.

"When I first came, I felt I had something to prove, and it really didn't work out that well," Brister said. "But now, after being here, I'm starting to calm down, and it's getting easier."

Brister isn't the only one settling into the role of a potential Cyclone savior.

Craig Brackins, the most-touted big man to land in Ames since Marcus Fizer, was a crowd favorite before he even played his first Capital City League game.

"You're walking around and kids are like, 'Can I have your autograph?' It's kind of overwhelming," said Brackins, a 6-10 forward from Palmdale, Calif., who was rated the 18th-best player in the nation by Rivals.com.

"I come from a place where you're nothing, because there are celebrities and NBA players."

Fizer created a stir when he joined the Cyclones in 1997, but Brackins downplays comparisons.

"Marcus was a great player," he said. "That's a lot of shoes to fill."

For Charles Boozer, signing with Iowa State was a chance to sidestep his brother's shadow.

Carlos Boozer, a 6-9 power forward, helped Duke win the 2001 NCAA title and became a star for the NBA's Utah Jazz.

Charles is a 6-3 guard who scored 1,720 points in his high school career in Raleigh, N.C.

"It's fun to come into a gym and everybody expects you to be down low getting buckets and rebounds, and I'm outside shooting 3-pointers," Charles said.

Sean Haluska resembles his brother in body type, but offers a contrast in style.

Adam Haluska played his freshman year at Iowa State before transferring to Iowa. The 6-5 shooting guard led the Big Ten Conference last season with 20.5 points per game and was the 43rd player selected in the NBA draft, by New Orleans.

"Me and my brother are two different players," said Sean, a 6-3 transfer from Indian Hills Community College. "We do different things. I kind of handle the ball a little bit more."

Haluska and Bryan Petersen, who played at Kirkwood Community College, joined the Cyclones as walk-ons.

Diante Garrett and Lucca Staiger will provide depth in the backcourt.

Clayton Vette, an all-state performer for Waverly-Shell Rock, continues to recover from a sore hamstring but should be healthy when the season begins.

"Living in a small town, it was kind of common that everyone knew who I was," Vette said. "When I came here, I didn't expect it as much.

"I can go eat or to Wal-Mart and people are staring, all the little kids are looking at us.

"It's a good feeling knowing that you're wanted."

The link also has pictures and short profiles of each player.

I didn't know we were getting Adam Haluska's little brother; that's kind of interesting.

**Knownothing** · 07-12-2007, 08:08 AM

Every picture I see of Lucca Staiger he looks different. I like the fro look with him and Vette working the curly white guy fro thing.

**Wx4Cy** · 07-12-2007, 08:29 AM

Well, there's no denying the talent that this class has. It will be fun listening to the UI fans trying to downplay it.

**dinger** · 07-12-2007, 08:32 AM

Originally Posted by ornryactor

I didn't know we were getting Adam Haluska's little brother; that's kind of interesting.

as much as you are on CF, how in the world did you miss that?

**Cymaster** · 07-12-2007, 09:09 AM

"Marcus was a great player," he said. "That's a lot of shoes to fill."
How many feet did Fizer have?

**bos** · 07-12-2007, 09:11 AM

Two on his feet and one in his butt. That one was from Larry.

**ornryactor** · 07-12-2007, 09:16 AM

Originally Posted by dinger7203

as much as you are on CF, how in the world did you miss that?

I don't know. I don't really pay attention to all the recruiting stuff. I don't know enough about it for any of it to mean something to me, and I don't see the point in following it. I figure I'll get to know the players when they're signed and on campus and playing for the Cyclones, and until then I don't bother. I figure if something's a really big deal, one of you guys will tell me.

All the same, you'd think I would have heard about the new Haluska kid.

**ISUFan22** · 07-12-2007, 09:19 AM

Originally Posted by ornryactor

All the same, you'd think I would have heard about the new Haluska kid.

Yeah, especially seeing how some thing it's the worst thing we could do, having a Haluska on the team.

I'd venture to guess he's one of our top 5ish scoring threats right now...that equates to playing time - period.

Especially on a team that, you know, had problems scoring last year.

**ornryactor** · 07-12-2007, 09:26 AM

Originally Posted by ISUFan22

Yeah, especially seeing how some thing it's the worst thing we could do, having a Haluska on the team.

Now that's just stupid. So because the kid has the same last name, he's not worth having. Sheesh, there's no accounting for some people. I assume they're the same folks who are saying we should take the Elway kid, no questions asked, just because his dad is famous.

Would it be different if Haluska's last name was Fizer or Hoiberg?

**BryceC** · 07-12-2007, 09:29 AM

This is going to make me sound like a jerk, but I think Haluska is quickly becoming one of the most overrated recruits by our own fanbase that has ever hit campus.

**JCloned** · 07-12-2007, 09:32 AM

Originally Posted by bostinelosd

Two on his feet and one in his butt. That one was from Larry.

That is funny!!

**joepublic** · 07-12-2007, 09:33 AM

Originally Posted by ISUFan22

I'd venture to guess he's one of our top 5ish scoring threats right now...that equates to playing time - period.

That will make us the Indian Hills of the Big 12. Yippeee!

Let's not get carried away. Sean averaged five a game last year.

**Clones85'** · 07-12-2007, 09:47 AM

So Sean is going to score more than Taylor, Johnson, Jiri, Garett, and Staiger. After going to 3 cap city leagues I just don't see it happening. Agreed w/ Bryce that he is the most overrated player by our fan base in a while. Especially being a walk on. Last night Peterson never missed when I watched him but yet some people never talk about him. Either way we have some great walk ons that will only help in making us better

**Knownothing** · 07-12-2007, 09:48 AM

I'd venture to guess he's one of our top 5ish scoring threats right now...that equates to playing time - period.

Yeah him Brock Jacobson, Rashon Clark, Marcus Brister, Cory Johnson, and the ghost of Chris Ceasar. That would be our top 5 scoring threats if Haluska is in the top 5. You can't average 5 points a game in JC and then become a top 5 scoring threat on a big 12 team.

I would agree that he is quickly becomming overated. He is a walk on that nobody recruited for a scholarship. He might add some good minutes but he will be nothing more than a role player. I am cool with that also. Just let's not act like he is anywhere as good as Adam turned out to be.

**BryceC** · 07-12-2007, 09:55 AM

I would agree that he is quickly becomming overated. He is a walk on that nobody recruited for a scholarship.

In all fairness, he was offered a scholarship. I can see him getting some PT next season but if he's getting minutes in front of Taylor, Staiger, or Brister it's going to be a head scratcher for me.