Green open to other schools

Being the son of a D1 college basketball coach can get complicated when it comes to recruiting. It can become particularly complicated when you are a high level prospect.

Fran McCaffery’s sons, Connor and Patrick, would probably have been highly recruited prospects at the high school level if not for the fact that their father is the head coach at the University of Iowa. Everyone knew early on that they would end up playing for their father at the college level, their recruitment's never took off on a regional or national level.

That’s also the case thus far for Cedar Falls point guard A.J. Green. The 2018 three star prospect averaged nearly 19 points and 4 assists per game as a sophomore leading his team to a 4th place finish in 4A at the state tournament.

Couple that with his strong point guard play on the AAU circuit with an Iowa Barnstormers team that features four star standouts Joe Wieskamp and Joey Hauser, and you would think several Big Ten and Big 12 schools would be knocking on his door.

But, Green is also the son of a college assistant coach. His father, is Kyle Green, who has served two stints on the Panthers staff and is currently an assistant for UNI head coach Ben Jacobson. And, A.J. Green also holds a scholarship offer from Northern Iowa.

That’s what makes it complicated.

“My dad has talked to me a little bit about it because a lot of schools probably figure I will end up going to UNI, so they don’t know how to approach it,” Green said.

It’s perfectly natural for other coaches to feel that way. Why offer or pursue a prospect like Green, if at the end of the day, he may end up picking the Panthers. But, Green has a different approach to it that makes sense.

“I tell them that it’s not 100% that I am going to UNI. If that were the case I would already be committed there since I have the offer,” he said. “I love the school (UNI) and it’s a really good school, but I am open to schools in the Big Ten or schools at that level.”

In addition to the offer from Northern Iowa, Green also currently holds offers from North Dakota and South Dakota State. Big Ten schools are starting to catch on to the idea that Green’s recruitment isn’t completely closed and he’s starting to hear from three schools.

“I am hearing from Wisconsin, and talking to Nebraska a little bit. I think I’m going to go visit Wisconsin for a football game this fall,” Green said. “I’m also talking to Iowa a little bit. I’ve talked to Coach Speraw and they are obviously very familiar with me since I play against Coach McCaffery’s sons during the season and with the Barnstormers.”

Green, who is starting his junior year this fall, is going to remain patient when it comes to recruiting and turn his focus towards basketball and becoming a better player for his high school team.

“I’m really focus on getting stronger and become more athletic. Then when the season starts I want to become more of a vocal leader on the floor.”