Hoiberg lands Texas guard for 2011 class

AMES – The future of Iowa State basketball under Fred Hoiberg already is taking shape.

The new head coach has his first player for 2011 in Ft. Bend, Texas, combo guard Anthony Odunsi. The 6-3, 195-pounder is sold on the future of a Hoiberg-led program.

“I want to be a Cyclone,” Odunsi said Monday. “That's the guy. Everybody loves him around there. Me being one of his first recruits I think is going to make our bond real special.”

Odunsi averaged 16.7 points, 4.2 rebounds and 3.5 assists as a junior.

He is ranked as one of the top players in the Houston area. Odunsi chose ISU over a list that includes Stanford, Vanderbilt, St Mary's and San Diego.

Associate head coach T.J. Otzelberger began recruiting Odunsi two years ago.

He saw campus and ISU's basketball facilities during a 24-hour visit last week.

“That pretty much gave me all I needed to know,” Odunsi said.

Otzelberger did well in recruiting him and securing a commitment before Odunsi caught more schools' attention.

“He was one of the main reasons,” Odunsi said the Cyclones' top recruiter. “I haven't known him that long but it seems like I've known him forever. I have a lot of trust in him. The way me and him got along… he made me feel like I was at home and I would have no worries.”

Odunsi is comfortable at both guard spots, and with his leadership skills says he prefers the point.

He can score but enjoys setting up teammates, too.

“I'll try to make u feel as comfortable as possible,” Odunsi said.

Odunsi joins 6-6, 205-pound forward Elgin Cook from Milwaukee as members of the ‘11 recruiting class. Five players are joining the team next season, four of whom will have four seasons of eligibility.

Hoiberg has things moving in the right direction.

“The class that he's bringing in and my class… with the new coaches they have I think we are going to be able to set it off,” Odunsi said.