AMES, Iowa--Iowa State head men’s
basketball coach Greg McDermott announced today the signing of three players to
national letters of intent for the 2007-08 basketball season. Craig Brackins (F,
6-10, 215, Fr., Lancaster, Calif.), one of the best power forwards in the
nation, Diante Garrett (G, 6-4, 170, Fr., Milwaukee, Wis.), a versatile guard
from Milwaukee, and Lucca Staiger (G, 6-5, 215, Fr., Baulstein, Germany), one of
the best junior players in Germany, will enroll at ISU in the Fall of 2007.
“There were several things we had
to address, and we feel that we have accomplished many of those with these three
young men,” McDermott said. “First and foremost, we recruited three young men
that are very excited to be a part of the Cyclone family. They chose
Iowa
State for all of the right
reasons and they can’t wait to get on campus. We needed to add another guard who
can handle the basketball, and we have done that with Diante. We needed to
address some depth in terms of 3-point shooters. We have done that with
Lucca. We needed
some versatility on the front line, and Craig can give us that. Versatility is
so critical in the game of basketball and I think all three have the ability to
play multiple positions.”
Brackins is one of the
highest-rated players to ever sign with the Cyclones. The power forward is
ranked as the 17th-best player and the fourth-best power forward in the nation
according to Rivals.com. Brackins, who is in his first season at Brewster Academy [N.H.], is an extremely versatile
post player who can score on the low block and from the
outside.
“The thing that excites me the
most about Craig is his versatility,” McDermott said. “He is a complete
offensive player. He is equally effective on the block and facing the basket,
with range that includes the 3-point shot. Craig has tremendous upside and his
best basketball is in front of him. He is a very hard worker with an
unbelievable attitude and he has a strong desire to get better. It will be
exciting for Cyclone fans to watch him progress during his
career.”
Garrett is one of the best players in
Wisconsin who
can play both guard positions. He was first-team all-conference last season at
Vincent High
School, one of the best high school programs in Wisconsin. He is a tall
and athletic guard who has the ability to run a team.
“Diante has a great feel for the
game, is creative off the dribble and has a lot of different ways he can get
into the paint and create opportunities for his teammates,” McDermott said. “His
size and length will give opponents problems on the defensive end and his
outstanding work ethic will bring a lot to our program. He is outstanding in
transition and can really score going to the basket. His total game will add a
lot to our team.”
Staiger will play high school
basketball at Decatur [Ill.] Christian this
season after starring in Germany the past three seasons.
Staiger has been a member of the German junior national teams the past four
seasons, playing for Germany’s U20 FIBA European
Tournament team in 2006. Staiger is an outstanding shooter and is considered the
top junior player in Germany.
“Lucca is a great 3-point shooter and has
excellent ballhandling and passing skills,” McDermott said. “Lucca will add size to our
backcourt that we need for our team to move forward. He makes his teammates
better because he has such a wonderful feel for the game. I have been following
his progress since he was 15, so I am excited to have him as a Cyclone and look
forward to him wearing the Iowa State uniform.”
Iowa State Men’s Basketball 2007
Recruits
Craig Brackins, F, 6-10, 215,
Freshman, Lancaster,
Calif. (Brewster [N.H.]
Academy)
Diante Garrett, G, 6-4, 170,
Freshman, Milwaukee,
Wis.
(Vincent)
Lucca Staiger, G, 6-5, 215, Freshman,
Baulstein, Germany (Urspring Academy/Decatur [Ill.]
Christian)
Craig Brackins
F, 6-10, 215,
Senior
Lancaster, Calif. (Boys To Men Academy/Brewster
Academy)
High School: A bruising power
forward who is an excellent shot blocker and good low post scorer...rated as the
17th-best player in the nation according to rivals.com...ranked as the
fourth-best power forward in the Class of 2007...voted as one of the top-10
performers at the 2007 Cactus Classic, averaging 10.5 points, 4.5 rebounds and
1.3 blocks...played for Boys To Men Academy (Chicago) as a junior where he was
considered one of the top prep school prospects in Illinois...averaged 14.1
points and 7.2 rebounds for Boys To Men in 2006...is playing for Brewster
Academy in Wolfeboro, N.H. in his senior season, the same prep school as current
Cyclone Dodie Dunson...chose Iowa State over Indiana, Pittsburgh, Illinois and
Clemson.
Diante
Garrett
G, 6-4, 170,
Senior
Milwaukee, Wis. (Vincent)
High School: A tall and athletic
point guard with tremendous potential...plays for one of the top programs in
Wisconsin, Vincent High School in Milwaukee...was named first-team
all-conference and honorable mention all-state last year for a team that was
ranked as high as No. 2 in the state...missed four weeks of his junior season
after being involved in a car crash...averaged 9.1 ppg in 22 games...father,
Dick Garrett, played five seasons in the NBA for the Los Angeles Lakers, Buffalo
Braves, New York Knicks and Milwaukee Bucks, averaging 10.3 ppg...chose Iowa
State over Clemson, UNLV and Wisconsin-Green Bay.
Lucca Staiger
G, 6-5, 215,
Senior
Baulstein, Germany (Urspring Academy/Decatur {Ill.}
Christian)
High School: A strong guard who is
considered one of the best junior players in Germany...a skilled, versatile
guard who is an outstanding shooter and passer...will play his senior season in
high school at Decatur Christian in Illinois...at the age of 15, was named MVP
of the Dirk Nowitzki All-Star camp...his high school team won the 2005 German
High School Championship...averaged 24.2 ppg, 5.6 rebounds and 6.2 assists last
season for Urspring...a member of the German Junior National Team the last four
seasons...competed for the German Junior National Team at the 2005 FIBA U18
European Championship...was a member of the German National Team that competed
in the 2006 FIBA U20 European Championship this past summer...was one of 49
participants selected by the NBA and FIBA for the 2005 Basketball Without
Borders Europe Camp...selected to play in the 2006 Adidas Superstar Camp
All-Star game.