Foster's stock continues to rise

Even though he just finished up his freshman year in high school, Xavier Foster is already on the recruiting radar of several top programs.

The 6-foot-10 big man from Oskaloosa, IA has picked up offers from Iowa and Iowa State very early and since that time Creighton also followed. This week after his strong performance in Las Vegas and the Fab 48 event, Illinois became the second Big Ten offer.

The Hawkeyes have seemed to make the strongest push early on for Foster, who actually visited Iowa again on Wednesday afternoon to watch practice prior to their trip overseas.

“My dad handles most of the recruiting side of things and I like to just go out and play, but I would say we are hearing from Iowa this most and I’ve been to their campus the most,” Foster said.

That included attending several Iowa basketball games last season and the young big man came away impressed.

“The visits have been great,” he said. “I like to see how he uses his big men and Coach McCaffery gives them a lot of freedom. They are allowed to shoot and step away from the paint and make plays.”

With dad handling the bulk of the recruiting process, Foster is focused on developing his game. On a recent trip home between AAU events, he and his dad headed to the gym and put up around 2,000 shots in two days, to help to continue to develop his shooting touch and range.

He hopes that the work in the gym will continue to develop his game and tap into his upside potential, of which there is plenty. His future plans also include continued participating on USA Basketball. This spring, Foster went to Colorado Spring for a tryout camp. While he didn’t make the team, it was a great experience for him.

“Even though I didn’t make the team, it was great to be invited out there and have the chance to play against some of the best players. The coaches there are great with me and helped me a lot. I’m hoping to be back there for another camp in the fall.”