Coach: 5-star would fit fine at ISU

After narrowly missing out on shooting guard Rashad Vaughn for last year's recruiting class, Iowa State is once again heavily involved with a five-star recruit that could be a game-changer for the 2015-16 season.

That impact recruit is Our Savior New American power forward Cheick Diallo, a McDonald's All-American who has included ISU in his top-five schools. Cyclone head coach Fred Hoiberg and assistant Matt Abdelmassih have followed Diallo closely throughout his senior season.

Diallo impressed on Friday against Linden at the Metro Classic Friday night, scoring 23 points to lead his team to a 67-55 victory. The 6-foot-9, 220-pound big man followed that up with 16 points and eight rebounds at Sunday's Nike Zoom City Classic against top-ranked Roselle Catholic in a narrow four-point defeat.

The sixth-ranked player nationally by Rivals, Diallo continues to show why he's one of the country's best. And that's saying something for a player that has been in the country for less than four years.

"Overall, he just keeps improving his game," said Our Savior New American head coach Ron Stelzer. "He's been in the United States for only three or four years as of now, and he came over from one of the countries of West Africa.

"Because of that, his skill level is not as nifty or refined as some kids that have been going to basketball camps since they were in third grade. But he's very effective, very talented and is athletic. He runs well, jumps well and shoots well - all of the stuff you like to see."

I-State, which Diallo named a favorite along with Kansas, Kentucky, Pittsburgh and St. John's, hosted the senior on an official visit the weekend of September 26th. Hoiberg and Abdelmassih, who also happened to be the point man last year for Vaughn, have made it clear that Diallo is the cornerstone to this year's class.

"If you travel this far more than once you're not going to see someone you're not interested in," Stelzer said. "I saw (Coach Matt Abdelmassih) last weekend and Coach Hoiberg was here in the fall. They were coming out again this weekend. Obviously he's a high priority for them. Iowa State is in the top-five and if you're in the top five, you're doing pretty good."

Stelzer says he thinks Diallo would be a great addition to the system the Cyclones are running.

"I'm sure Cheick would fit in just fine with them and numerous others," he said. "I like to watch Iowa State and I think they've got a great coach, program and fan base. I'm sure if he went there he would fit in just fine."

If ISU snags Diallo, a native of Bamako, Mali, he would be the first McDonald's All-American to sign with the program since Marcus Fizer, who competed in the 1997 game.