Recruiting Report: Conner Groves (2019)
Last season at the state tournament, then-sophomore Conner Groves showcased why he could be one of 2019’s best prospects.
And this season, as the leader of Sergeant-Bluff Luton, the 6-foot-1 guard has certainly proven that to be fact.
Areas college coaches have taken notice.
“Right now, Briar Cliff and Morningside coaches have been contacting me the most. I recently went to a Morningside game, the coaches got me free tickets. I’ve gotten letters from Northwestern and a couple other NAIA schools,” said Groves.
It’s his ability to diversify his offense skill-set that he’s been working most to improve since we talked with him last summer.
“Since the summer, I’ve been working on my pull-up game and getting to the rim. And this season, I’ve been getting to the hole a lot more and also getting a lot of pull-up shots,” said Groves who is averaging 15 points and shooting 42 percent from deep this season.
“My role definitely has changed this year, I’ve been bringing the ball up the floor a lot more. Also, teams have been face-guarding me, so I’ve been attacking the hoop and dishing down to my teammates and creating open shots for them, too.”
The Warriors won their 3A Substate final last night, and Groves says it was the tough schedule they played in the regular season, which included several 4A opponents, that’s been most beneficial.
SB-L has won nine straight games heading into next week’s state tourney.
“Just like last year, we’ve gotten hot at the right time. And we have the same record as we did last year. So getting hot at the right time really helps going into district play,” said Groves.
Regardless of what takes place the next week-and-a-half for the Warriors, Groves’ offseason will start — at the very latest — two weeks from now.
“I haven’t completely decided yet who I’ll play with. Last year I did Southwest Iowa Select, and this summer I might do Showtime Hoops,” he said.
“This summer I’m really looking forward to going my hardest and giving it everything I’ve got, and just see what other coaches contact me.”
Conner Groves is ranked by Prep Hoops as a top 50 prospect in his class.