Iowa State men's basketball gets a much-needed guard addition from the transfer portal
Iowa State basketball coach T.J. Otzelberger told a handful of reporters the morning after the Cyclones lost in the NCAA Tournament, that his focus would be on recruiting shooters.
Sunday, UNLV transfer Keshon Gilbert told the On.3 web site that he's furthering his career at Iowa State. He will have two seasons of eligibility remaining.
The 6-foot-4 sophomore combo guard averaged 11.4 points, 3.8 rebounds and 3.2 assists last season. He shot 46.6%, including 35.7% from three-point range.
Gilbert fills one of the three open roster spots available for next season’s team.
His addition gives Otzelberger, a former UNLV head coach, backcourt flexibility. Point guard Tamin Lipsey started all 33 games last season, but when Jeremiah Williams can successfully return from an Achilles injury is questionable, Otzelberger said after the NCAA Tournament.
“Jeremiah has a couple things he needs to work on to get himself healthy,” Otzelberger said after the loss against Pittsburgh in the Midwest Regional in Greensboro, N.C. “If he’s able to get back towards the end of the summer or early in the fall − that will help things for sure.”
When asked if he will be looking for a battle-tested point guard in the transfer portal, Otzelberger said:
“The best teams probably in the country, have multiple guys that can make a play for themselves or their teammates.”
More: Peterson: Regardless of NCAA Tournament ouster, Iowa State's men's basketball future is bright
Gilbert will join a recruiting class that includes freshmen Omaha Biliew, Milan Momcilovic, Jelani Hamilton and Kayden Fish.
Nationally, Iowa State’s next recruiting class is ranked ninth, by the 247sports web site.
Iowa State columnist Randy Peterson is in his 51st year writing sports for the Des Moines Register. Reach him at rpeterson@dmreg.com, and on Twitter @RandyPete
This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: Iowa State's Otzelberger gets a much-needed backcourt addition for next season
