Hamilton could follow Hoiberg back to ISU

AMES – Rumor has it Justin Hamilton is considering playing at Iowa State after all.

The 6-11 post player didn't confirm or deny the possibility Thursday when approached after he and other Cyclone players went through a morning workout at the team's practice facility.

“I can't tell you anything,” said Hamilton, who announced he was transferring a day after the Cyclones' season ended at the Big 12 Conference tournament. “I don't know. We'll find out.”

He declined further comment and continued shooting baskets.

Hamilton, who started 31 games last season, said last month he wanted to be at a school closer to his Alpine, Utah, home.

Two weeks ago Hamilton said he would play at Louisiana State.

“I liked the area, the community and the coaching staff," Hamilton told the New Orleans Times-Picayune. "Coach (Trent) Johnson has had success in coaching big men, and I feel like I fit in with what they do."

Hamilton averaged 6.4 points and 5.4 rebounds last season and was ISU's most improved player.

He would have to sit out next season and have two years of eligibility remaining. Hamilton has not signed scholarship papers with LSU.

New ISU coach Fred Hoiberg was working in his office Thursday, spending much of the morning with his door closed and 11-year-old son Jack roaming the halls.

He was not available for comment on Hamilton's possible return in between phone calls and meetings.

Hoiberg and his family were heading back to Minnesota later in the day.

Men's basketball secretary Julie Flory held the same position back when Hoiberg played under Johnny Orr and Tim Floyd from 1991-95.

"It's like I"m working for one of my kids," Flory said.

Cyclones Diante Garrett, Scott Christopherson, Jamie Vanderbeken, Charles Boozer and Bubu Palo all were on the floor working out Thursday with a renewed spirit.

“Everybody is excited being in the gym and having a new coach,” Garrett said. “He gave us a game plan of what he wants from us.”

Hoiberg talked Garrett up Wednesday during his introductory press conference at the Jacobson Athletic Building. The senior will play a big role in the up-tempo offense Hoiberg wants to employ.

“I think he is a tremendous guard with the ball,” Hoiberg said of Garrett, who averaged 9.4 points and 5.1 assists last year.

Garrett is anxious to learn from the 10-year NBA veteran.

“He's a guard and knows the game in and out. He can give me tips,” Garrett said. “If I be a sponge and soak it all in, I can be a good player.”

Officially a member of the recruiting class Thursday is 6-9 forward Eric McKnight, from Princeton Day Academy in Lanham, Md.

McKnight chose ISU over offers from an impressive list of schools like Maryland, Missouri, Indiana and Georgetown.

ISU's other three newcomers were excited about Hoiberg's hiring.

“I talked to couple of the new guys coming in (Wednesday) night. Everybody is ready for next year,” Garrett said. “They were asking questions about Coach Fred and if he is cool. He's real down to Earth and easy to talk to.”

Scholarships still are open, as are two spots on Hoiberg's coaching staff.

He'll return from Minnesota with more work to do than hours in the day.

“I told (associate head coach) T.J. (Otzelberger) we are going to hit the ground running,” Hoiberg said.