Cyclone Sports Report: How did this decision come about today?Wesley Staten: I talked to Coach McDermott about three weeks ago and he told me to really think about it and so that's what my family and I did. After thinking about it I realized that I wanted to commit.
CSR: So what exactly happened today?
WS: I called and spoke with Coach McDermott and told him that I wanted to commit. He was real happy with my decision and then he put me on speaker phone and then Coach Rutter got real excited.
CSR: When did Iowa State start recruiting you?
WS: They started looking at me last spring. They first came to Sioux City to watch me work out.
CSR: Which coach was recruiting you the hardest?
WS: Coach Rutter has been talking with me the most. He's a great person and a good coach. He also clicked with my family and I just felt that we connected right away.
CSR: When did Coach McDermott first see you play?
WS: About three weeks ago when he came to one of my workouts.
CSR: How was your visit to Iowa State for the Texas A&M football game weekend?
WS: I came with my parents and my junior high basketball coach and we all loved it. The football game was really great and I just like the atmosphere a lot. The academic program seems great and I really liked getting to watch Coach McDermott at practice. You could tell the players have a good relationship with him. They had a good time but he was making them work very hard. I really like a coach who makes you work hard.
CSR: Which players did you get to talk to?
WS: Mostly Craig Brackins, Diante Garrett, Dominique Buckley, and L.A. Pomlee. I really liked talking to Craig because I look up to him. I got to play in the scrimmage on that Saturday and I thought I did pretty well. He was telling me some pointers which could help me.
CSR: Have you always lived in Iowa?
WS: No, I was born in Alabama and then I moved to Sioux City four years ago.
CSR: Have you always liked Iowa State since you moved out here?
WS: With basketball they have been my favorite in the state of Iowa.
CSR: Have you been to a game at Hilton Coliseum?
WS: I got to go to my first game last year.
CSR: What did you think about the experience?
WS: It was really great and the fans showed a lot of support.
CSR: Do you plan on attending a lot of games this year?
WS: I hope to make a lot of games and I'm going to come down for their exhibition game this weekend.
CSR: You made this decision before you ever played a high school game. Do you feel this decision is final?
WS: I definitely feel it's 100% final and so do my parents.
CSR: Did you expect to make a decision this soon?
WS: No, I just went through the process and came to a conclusion that I wanted to verbally commit to Iowa State.
CSR: What do you feel your strengths are as a basketball player?
WS: I feel that I can change the tempo and I really like to lock people down on defense. I feel I'm unselfish but that I can score when I need to.
CSR: What is your height and weight?
WS: I'm 6-foot and 150 pounds.
CSR: How happy are you have this decision over?
WS: It's a real big deal for me because now I have no worries. I can just go out on the court and play.