Recapping Iowa State’s Official Commitments From the Class of 2020

Today was one of the 3,000 national signing days that happen throughout the year. So Iowa State’s top men’s basketball recruits were able to put a pen to paper and make it official that they’re coming to Ames next season.

Xavier Foster: 7’0”, 240 lbs, C, Oskaloosa, IA *(ranked: 59th on 247sports) or (51st on ESPN top 100):

Foster will obviously be the headline of this class for Steve Prohm and the Cyclones. (You can read our recent write up after his commitment on Monday, here). He is a very gifted big man, that has next level athleticism, paired with great footwork and touch around the rim. Foster was able to truly showcase his talent with the 2017 Team USA Junior National team. Where he showed how ferocious of an athlete he can truly be...

With the Cyclones current starting frontcourt of Solomon Young and Michael Jacobson both being upperclassmen, the future of Foster paired with George Conditt, has the chance to be unstoppable–both having elite level shot blocking ability and great athleticism to run the floor.

Dudley Blackwell: 6’5”, 185 lbs, F, Pembroke Pines, FL *(ranked 148th on 247sports) or (91st on ESPN top 100):

Dudley Blackwell has the chance to be one of the biggest steals of the 2020 recruiting class in the whole country. His all-world athleticism reminds me of a smaller version of former Cyclone, Deonte Burton. Blackwell has the chance to be a great slashing wing for Steve Prohm, as well as having to athleticism to develop into an elite defender. The biggest deciding factor of his ability to become “elite” will be his jump shot, but there is no doubt that Blackwell will be fun to watch. (You can read our write up following his verbal commitment in October here).

Xavier Foster and Dudley Blackwell have the chance to be one of the most exciting freshman duos in the country next season, and I expect both players to have the chance to make an impact right away.

Darlinstone Dubar: 6’5”, 180 lbs, F, Charlotte, NC *(ranked 354th on 247sport) or (unranked on ESPN top 100):

Dubar might not have the same stars or rankings as Foster and Blackwell, but his potential is certainly there. His combination of great length and athleticism makes him a very interesting prospect long-term. He chose Iowa State over other top schools like Seton Hall, Notre Dame, and Auburn, this shows that many schools around the country were aware of his potential. Dubar might not contribute right away for the Cyclones, but with possibly a redshirt year or just a year of development he could be a great rotation piece for the Iowa State in the future.

Jaden Walker, 6’5”, 170 lbs, PG, Lawrenceville, GA *(ranked 288th on 247sports) or (unranked on ESPN top 100):

Jaden Walker has quickly risen to the top of recruiting boards throughout his high school career. Although he might not have the stars now, but his potential has been shown very similar to Dubar. Walker has often been compared to the current starting PG for the Cyclones, Tyrese Haliburton. His combination of great size for his position, as well as great vision to always find the open man, makes him a great point guard of the future for Steven Prohm. It is looking more and more like Tyrese will be heading to the NBA after this season, so Walker will likely have a great chance to compete for minutes in the 2020-21 season.