Metro's finest hoopsters show off for college coaches

CEDAR RAPIDS - It's about an hour after classes have concluded for the day at Cedar Rapids Jefferson, and J-Hawk basketball players have gathered in the school gym to play some pick-up ball.

Up and down the floor they run, with not a lot of defense being played. You've seen this a million times on the playground.

The only difference is Jefferson Coach Stu Ordman is hanging around the court. Then you look closer at some of the other guys taking in the action.

There's new Iowa head coach Fran McCaffery, looking sharp in a suit and tie. His assistant Andrew Francis is more casually dressed in slacks and a white Hawkeye button-down.

Also highly visible in their school colors and logos are Notre Dame assistant coach Martin Inglesby, Butler assistant Matthew Graves, Creighton assistant Darian DeVries and Iowa State assistant Jeff Rutter.

There are a few days in April when the NCAA allows basketball coaches to check out and have limited verbal contact with potential recruits, as long as it's at the recruit's school and in an "open gym" setting.  Monday was one of those "open gym" days, and 6-foot-8 junior forward Jarrod Uthoff was the object of everyone's affection.

"It's a pretty awesome feeling to know that you're wanted and college coaches are interested in you to play basketball at the next level," Uthoff said. "I just tried to play my game. Get my teammates the ball the best I could and score when I had the opportunity."

The Metro area has its share of underclass Division I college talent, and it was on display this day for anyone who wanted to take a peak. Shortly after Jefferson's session, Cedar Rapids Washington had its own "open gym" to display the talents of 6-foot-5 junior swingman Josh Oglesby, who, like Uthoff, has multiple D-I offers, and 6-foot junior guard Wes Washpun, who could go Division I.

Monday night was Linn-Mar's turn to show off sophomore guard Marcus Paige and junior guard Matt Bohannon, among others. Yes, the coaching sextet hit all three stops.

"It's kind of funny because one thing they all ask is 'How far is Washington from here? How far is Linn-Mar?'" Ordman said.

McCaffery politely declined to talk to a reporter in generalities about this observation day. Coaches are forbidden to talk publicly about specific recruits. 

"This opportunity is invaluable because of the rules the NCAA puts on us," said Rutter. "Now they've eliminated the opportunity for us to see AAU tournaments in the spring. So the only thing we can do is see open gyms. It's a win-win for all of us (players and coaches)."

Though you'll have to excuse the players if they think this is kind of weird. Washington had more of a workout session for Oglesby and Washpun, who went through several shooting drills with former Wash player Boyd Printy while other teammates worked on their respective games.

Washington head coach Brad Metzger was not allowed by prep rules to do any coaching or instructing. Metzger said that while college coaches contacted him about the possibility of setting up an "open gym" for Oglesby,  he had already constructed a spring calendar that included them.

"I feel like I'm trying out for a team, actually," Oglesby said. "Feels like my senior year is over, and I'm trying to make a (college) team. But it's fun. I'm enjoying it. I'm just trying to enjoy every minute of it."

Josh's father, Ted, sat on a chair Monday watching the workouts. He's a former head coach at Kirkwood Community College and Indian Hills Community College and has given his son repeated tips and advice about the recruiting process, including this day.

"I think days like these are great things, especially in Iowa," he said. "Iowa basketball is so far behind in showcasing kids. There are so many rules in this state. You can't do this, you can't do that. That all needs to change.

"It's not only good for the kids being recruited, but how about the other eight kids in here today? You talk about incentive."

There's another "open gym" day scheduled Wednesday, with someone from Boston College expected to be present. Two weeks ago, Arizona State head coach Herb Sendek was in town and ended up offering both Uthoff and Oglesby scholarships.

Indiana head coach Tom Crean also was among the spectators, and offered Uthoff a scholarship Sunday.

Recruiting has picked up significantly for both kids. These "open gyms" are part of the reason.

"Since Arizona State offered, things have just blown up," Josh Oglesby said.

"Yeah, it's overwhelming at times," said Diane Uthoff, Jarrod's mother. "It's been pretty wild."