Kansas State basketball has turned to the junior faculty ranks for its newest addition.
Chimobi Ikegwuruka, a 6-foot-6, 205-pound ahead from Ellsworth Group School in Iowa, has signed with the Wildcats, in line with a social media put up by Arturs Kalnitis, his agent.
Ikegwuruka, from Galway, Eire, is the sixth switch signed by coach Jerome Tang this recruiting cycle, pushing the Wildcat roster to 10 gamers with three extra scholarships out there. He averaged 19 factors and 10.3 rebounds in 21 video games as a redshirt freshman and second crew juco All-American at Ellsworth and has three years of eligibility remaining.
Scouting experiences present that even at 6-6, Ikegwuruka is extra of an influence ahead, as evidenced by his rebounding numbers. He additionally shot 59.4% whereas trying simply six 3-pointers and made 70.5% of his free throws on almost six makes an attempt per sport.
Ikegwuruka is the second junior faculty switch signed by Tang since coming to Ok-State. Ahead Nae’Qwan Tomlin was a key contributor to the Wildcats’ NCAA Elite Eight run in 2022-23. Additionally, 2023-24 main scorer Tylor Perry spent two years at Coffeyville Group School earlier than heading to North Texas.
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Throughout a Catbacker tour cease in Salina on Tuesday, Ok-State assistant coach Anthony Winchester stated that including measurement to the roster was a precedence for the employees.
“Clearly we’d like some measurement,” Winchester stated. “I feel that is the place we’re form of targeted proper every now and then attempt to see if we are able to end the roster out right here quickly.”
Ikegwuruka, whereas maybe undersized as an influence ahead, clearly is at residence across the basket, however the Wildcats may nonetheless use a veteran massive man or two.
Tremendous-senior David N’Guessan, at 6-9, 220 kilos is the lone skilled put up participant, although they did signal 6-11, 215-pound Arkansas ahead Baye Fall, late final month. Fall, a 2023 McDonald’s All-American, performed in simply 9 video games as a freshman this previous season with the Razorbacks.
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Along with Ikegwuruka and Fall, the Wildcats have signed former Michigan level guard Dug McDaniel, Illinois-Chicago guard CJ Jones, Villanova guard Brendan Hausen and Cal State Fullerton senior guard Max Jones from the portal. Additionally they will herald highschool level guard David Castillo, who performed his senior season at Dawn Christian Academy.
Whereas Ikegwuruka just isn’t a fringe taking pictures risk, the 4 switch guards all are, connecting on 37% or higher from 3-point vary. No Wildcat shot higher than 34.5% from past the arc final yr.
“I feel it was on the forefront of our ideas. It did not simply work out that manner accidentally,” Winchester stated of focusing on shooters. “We clearly checked out that as a necessity, and anytime you may have a man on the market that may assist with spacing and stretch the ground a bit bit, it is simply going to make your offense higher.
“We have added a number of guys that may shoot it at a excessive clip, so I feel that is going to repay as we search for measurement, as a result of you may strategy it a bit bit completely different. I feel that permits to play a bit bit completely different, too, offensively.”Arne Inexperienced is predicated in Salina and covers Kansas State College sports activities for the Gannett community. He might be reached at agreen@gannett.com or on Twitter at @arnegreen.
This text initially appeared on Topeka Capital-Journal: Kansas State basketball lands junior faculty All-American ahead