Prep Iguodala pays visit

By Jim Baker     Oct 19, 2001

The state of Illinois, as always, is blessed with some outstanding high school basketball talent this school year.

One of the top if not the best players in the Land of Lincoln is Andre Iguodala, a 6-foot-6, 190-pound guard/forward out of Springfield’s Lamphier High School.

Iguodala is in town for the Spurs-Jazz NBA exhibition game and Kansas University-Missouri football game as part of his KU men’s basketball campus visit.

“His great athleticism is unmatched in the state,” said Frank Rusnak, editor of highschoolelite.com. “Andre is a great little player. His best days are definitely ahead of him. He’s an explosive athlete and just starting to learn the game of basketball.”

Iguodala, who is considering Boston College, Arizona, Arkansas and Kansas, averaged 13.1 points, 6.2 rebounds and 2.6 steals per game last year for 27-3 Lamphier.

“He is definitely a 3-man,” Rusnak said, referring to the small forward position. “He can slash to the basket and take it to the hoop. When he gets there he knows how to finish. His jump shot needs a little work. He’s a hard worker and when he gets time to focus on that and improve that, he’ll really be something.”

Iguodala also is a standout high jumper in track. His versatility and athleticism in hoops will suit some team just fine.

“Arizona said I could play at the small forward spot, a little like Richard Jefferson,” Iguodala told the Springfield State Journal-Register. “Arkansas said they would let me play the 1 (point), 2 (shooting guard) or 3.”

He’s nearing the end of his tour of college campuses. He’s at KU this weekend, Arkansas the following weekend then will try to come up with a decision and sign during the Nov. 14-21 signing period.

Analyst Rusnak, who is based in Illinois, believes KU has as good a chance as any school to land Iguodala.

“He really wants to play in an open style and get out and run and be in a proven system,” Rusnak said. “Kansas fits on all counts. I think his game is suited for the college level. If I take it one step further he could be a real stud in the NBA if he could make it to that level. He has athleticism in the open court, and as a one-on-one player he is electrifying.”

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