Where Are They Now? (Part III)
Adam McDermott (Xavier ): After helping lead Xavier to a state tourney appearance in 2015, McDermott — first cousin to OKC Thunder shooting guard Doug McDermott — opted to accept a scholarship to North Dakota. He played plenty as a freshman with the Fighting Hawks, averaging 6.2 points and 2.3 rebounds per in 32 games. But decided after the season to transfer into Northern Iowa, where he would have three seasons of eligibility remaining. Iowa’s 7th-ranked 2015, the 6’4 shooting guard redshirted this past winter and will become eligible as a sophomore next fall for the Panthers.
Miles Wentzien (Fort Madison): This former Fort Madison standout and Iowa’s 15th-ranked 2015 was seeing some low-major Division I interest come his way during his senior season but never received and D1 offers. He ended up committing to D2 Western Missouri where he played and thrived during his freshman season, averaging 6.9 points and 3.4 rebounds per game. He decided to transfer to Iowa JuCo Kirkwood, and was its best player last season as a sophomore, piecing together a sensational season going for a team-high 14.8 points per game and adding 6.7 rebounds and 2.7 assists per to boot. Wentzien was one of the nation’s best free-throw shooters too, connecting on 90.2 percent of his attempts, and was voted his conference’s Player of the Year for his efforts. He’s not sure where he’ll land next season, but has D2 offers from Minnesota State-Mankato, Morehead State, Winona State, Grand Valley State, Sioux Falls, Lewis and he recently was offered by D1 American.
Byron Harp (Ankeny Centennial): We always considered this Ankeny Centennial standout to be under-recruited, and he landed at Kirkwood after a strong senior season with the Jaguars. Iowa’s 44th-ranked 2015, Harp helped the Eagles to a 31-4 record this past winter as a sophomore with a masterful season, going for 11.3 points and 3.8 assists per game. And he shot the ball particularly well from deep, connecting on 42 percent of his 3-point attempts. The 6’2 point guard was selected ICCAC All-Region after his sensational sophomore season, and has picked up a slew of Division II offers. We’re told he recently started taking his visits and will choose a school within the next two weeks.
Brody Egger (Urbandale): Things have certainly worked out well for this J-Hawk up in Sioux City. Iowa’s 21st-ranked 2015, the 6’2 combo-guard followed up his successful career at Urbandale with similar success at NAIA Morningside. Two years into his career with the Mustangs he has established himself as one of the team’s key players. As a freshman he played a huge role, averaging 10.7 points and connecting on 42 percent of his 3-point tries. He was better as a sophomore, becoming one of the team’s top two players, and upping his scoring average to 13.5 per game while starting 30 of 31 games.
Grant Graham (North Scott): Already a champion at the 4A ranks of Iowa high school hoops (see North Scott 2015), this 6-foot guard headed south of Iowa’s borders to D2 power Northwest Missouri State after high school. With an abundance of talent in place, Graham only played sparingly this past season after redshirting his first winter there. And as a redshirt freshman he averaged 6.6 minutes per contest, seeing action in 24 games. Most notably, the Bearcats recently won a Division II national title, that’s no small feat; and Graham will be receiving yet another championship ring to add to his collection because of it.