Ashton finds fit in move from Kirkwood to Iowa State

WEST DES MOINES - Jordan Ashton had plenty of options. The trick was really just about finding a fit.

A first-team All-American sophomore season at Kirkwood Community College assured Ashton of a spot somewhere beyond junior college, but nothing seemed like the right situation. Then Iowa State came calling.

'I really just wanted to play at the highest level,” Ashton said. 'This is a great opportunity because I wasn't getting those other high schools recruiting me, but I'll have a chance to earn a scholarship and work towards that.”

Ashton, a 6-foot-4 guard from Mount Pleasant, verbally committed to the Cyclones as a preferred walk-on on May 16 after an All-American season for the Eagles where he averaged 16.4 points per game. He played one season at Kirkwood after spending two years - one as a red-shirt - at Division II Northwest Missouri State.

Just like his new teammates in Ames, Ashton weathered the storm of Fred Hoiberg's departure to the Chicago Bulls. Just like with the rest of the team, ISU assistant coach T.J. Otzelberger, who began recruiting Ashton when he returned to Ames this spring, helped bridge the gap in head coaches.

Otzelberger was certainly a driving force in Ashton's decision to take a preferred walk-on spot at Iowa State, but another mentor helped steer him that way as well. Kirkwood coach Bryan Petersen, an ISU guard from 2007-09, played under Otzelberger and started as a walk-on.

'(Petersen) told me they had been in contact a little bit and that it was a possibility,” Ashton said. 'During the season he talked to me about it, but it really came on strong late. He had given them film and stuff and it just kind of went from there.”

Iowa State is likely to be a top-10 team in the preseason, possibly top-five, and the high expectations don't have Ashton overwhelmed in his first year. He's got big expectations for himself.

In the YMCA Capital City League, Ashton has been a sharp shooter for ADIO. He averaged 28.2 points in the summer league regular season and is shooting 61 percent (33-of-54) from 3-point range, which is a league record.

Granted, summer basketball won't be the same as the jump to Division I, nor will the playing time. Minutes will be at a premium for the Cyclones with seniors Georges Niang, Naz Long, Jameel McKay, Abdel Nader and junior Monte Morris providing the core. That doesn't mean Ashton doesn't see an opportunity to play.

Ashton sees similarities in the way Kirkwood played and the way Iowa State will play under new coach Steve Prohm. With the Eagles, Ashton was third nationally in free-throw percentage (88 percent) and 16th in made 3-pointers with 82 at a 43.6 percent clip.

The other 'fit,” Ashton gets to stay close enough to home to have his parents to make it to most home games. And before his Iowa State career has even begun, Ashton has a straightforward strategy for grabbing an elusive scholarship.

'Really just challenge myself and try to get better every day,” Ashton said. 'That's all I can do.”

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