Linn-Mar’s Printy commits to Western Michigan

CEDAR RAPIDS - When he got the official offer Monday, Jared Printy didn't want to sound too excited. You want to be sure when you are picking a place to play college basketball and everything.

He'd been waiting for what seemed forever for Western Michigan to come through, and it finally did. But, still, you've got to thoroughly think about all your options before pulling the scholarship trigger.

'I wanted to take a few days and take my emotions out of it,” he said.

The Linn-Mar senior guard ultimately came to the same conclusion. He wants to be a Bronco and will be after verbally committing to WMU Thursday.

'I really liked it when I went on my official visit,” Printy said. 'I really like the coaching staff. They treated me well and were honest with me. That's something I value.”

The 6-foot-5 guard is a shooter, pure and simple. He led Cedar Rapids Washington in scoring last season, averaging 12.2 points per game and making a team-high 51 3-pointers.

Printy transferred to Linn-Mar last spring, where he will play for his cousin, Jordan, an assistant coach at the school and former D-I college player himself at Indiana State. He'll be part of what should be a deadly Lions backcourt with Jordan Bohannon, who recently committed to the University of Iowa.

'To be honest, Jordan (Printy) was my idol growing up,” Jared said. 'I went to every one of his games at Linn-Mar and watched him play on the computer at Indiana State.”

Printy said 'several” factors went into his transfer. He was a multiple-year starter for the Warriors, and his father, Boyd, was an all-state guard at Washington.

'I don't want to get real specific,” he said. 'It was a family decision, something my family and I talked about a lot. It was really tough to leave Wash.”

This was the first Division I offer Printy received, and a good senior season surely would have gathered him more. But as far as he's concerned, the final decision has been made.

'It's a relief to have recruiting over with,” he said. 'Recruiting is fun, but it can be really, really tough at times. Now I can focus 100 percent on my senior season and helping Linn-Mar be the best team we can be.”

l Comments: (319) 398-8259; jeff.johnson@thegazette.com