Dubuque Wahlert wing forward Riley Till has grown up around the sports at the University of Iowa and that helped him turn down a number of scholarship offers to walk-on with the Hawkeyes. We caught up with the 6-foot-7, 185-pound Till to talk about his decision, his future with the Iowa basketball program, and much more.

Q: Why did you end up picking Iowa?

TILL: Originally coming into this week my options were going to a junior college or a prep school out east. The Iowa coaches called and they presented me with the opportunity. Growing up as a big die hard Hawk fan made me want to play there one day. It all worked out.

Q: What other schools were considered?

TILL: I had a few Division II offers from Truman State, Upper Iowa, and Sioux Falls but about a month ago I made the decision I wanted to play Division I basketball whether or not it was next year after going to a junior college. I began talking to the head coach at Tyler Junior College in Tyler, Texas. I talked to the coaches at Brewster Academy and ELEV|8 in Florida. I was debating those three schools mainly and if nothing were to come out of my playing with the Barnstormers in the last few live periods, I'd have gone to Tyler, Texas.

Q: How did the connection with Iowa begin?

TILL: Obviously I've been playing with Cordell (Pemsl) since I was a little kid and they've seen me play when they visited for games, practices, and open gyms. It was never anything more until the beginning of this basketball season. That is when I talked to the coaches and they offered me a preferred walk-on position but they had to pull it back because of room on the roster. Recently with some guys leaving and what not they had the spot open back up and told me they'd love to have me.

Q: Where do they foresee you at the college level position wise?

TILL: I haven't gotten into any of that with the coaches but I will in the next couple of weeks. I am assuming I'll be a 2/3 kind of player That would be my thoughts going into the Big 10.

Q: What is your family connection with Iowa and how important was that in your decision?

TILL: It definitely played a big factor. I grew up in Iowa City. My mom did radio for the women's team for over a decade. My sister just finished her senior year where she played basketball. I have been down to that gym countless times watching my sister or being down there with my mom. We always go down to the games in Iowa City and watch football down there as well. It is like a second home to me now. It feels right that I'll end up there.

Q: Do you know when you will report?

TILL: I am not 100% sure but if everything works out correctly it will be around June 11th.

Q: How important were the coaches in your decision?

TILL: They played a factor. You got to go somewhere where you like the coaches and Iowa has done a phenomenal job. Sherman Dillard is a good family friend and I have gotten to know the rest of the staff a lot better. It is a great group of men and they will help me become the best basketball player I can.