However, the PGs he developed aren't middle of B12 quality. They would have been some of the best in the league by the time they left.
Got it-I missed the PG point.
Here's a little research I did. In the past 4 years and for the coming season, when we have experienced/ expect to experience great success, the following guys played (or are expected to play) at least 15 minutes/game. I have noted the number of stars per Rivals of each coming out of high school or juco, and put them in to categories:
5-star: Royce White
4-star: Georges Niang, Monte Morris, Jameel McKay, Bryce Dejean-Jones, Matt Thomas, Korie Luscious, Chris Allen, Deonte Burton
3-star: Melvin Ejim, Naz Long,
3-star juco: Dustin Hogue, Tyrus McGee
3-star or less, but had proven themselves at other schools prior to coming to Iowa State: Abdel Nader, DeAndre Kane, Will Clyburn, Chris Babb, Scott Christopherson, Hallice Cook.
The only 3-star guys we've recruited directly from high school that played real minutes are Ejim and Long. Additionally, there's not a 4-star guy that didn't contribute at a high level (excluding Custer, who I believe would have ultimately-left too early to tell).
The remainder of our recruits over this period are 3-star or less guys that saw little to no action on the court with names like Sledge, SDW, Railey, Gibson, Okoro, etc.
I know this isn't necessarily a revelation, as there are studies about the need for 4/4+ star guys, but talent is needed to compete at the level we want to compete at. And stars matter. I will add that it is unrealistic to expect a guy like Prohm to come to ISU and be hauling in 4-star guys right off the bat. I believe he ultimately will and that, until then, he will find guys that can play, whether that be from the high school ranks, juco or in the transfer market.