Prospect Update: Ben Lyon (2018)
Rockhurst University has come into Iowa and plucked one of the lengthier and versatile threats in its 2018 class.
Ankeny’s Ben Lyon — who averaged 10.7 points, 8.2 rebounds, 3.5 assists and 2.2 blocks per game as a senior — committed to the high-academic Kansas City program last week.
“It really came down to them and Graceland, it really did. I had a couple prep schools down in Texas that wanted me. And it really just came down to academics, and you’re not going to get a better academic school that Rockhurst for their business program,” said Lyon.
He says the Hawks’ coaching staff started recruiting him last summer after they saw him playing with Kingdom Hoops in Lawrence, Kansas at the Hardwood Classic. The relationship quickly materialized.
“I was thinking, ‘Man, I’d really like to go here, Kansas City is really close (to Ankeny), Q (former Valley standout Quinton Curry), is down there, and their business school is really great.’ So, it was kind of a no-brainer,” said Lyon.
Kingdom Hoops was headed back to Lawrence the next weekend for a tournament, so Lyon took an unofficial to Rockhurst then. A couple months later, he worked out for the coaching staff.
“It’s a lot of fun there, I love the guys down there.”
Lyon will join forces will former West Des Moines Valley standout Quinton Curry, who excelled as a freshman with the Hawks last season.
He hung out with Curry the day he went down for a workout. They hung out in Curry’s dorm-room, and Lyon got a feel for what campus life is all about.
“It was a really good experience. Q, I mean, he’s special, I like the kid. He was a actually a really big factor in why I chose the school. I’m really excited to be playing with him,” said Lyon.
Lyon mentioned that he’ll “most likely” red-shirt next winter with the Hawks. And he’ll be working to sharpen his outside shot in the meantime.
“Since I’m a late commitment, they basically already have their roster set. But I’ve been told, I’m going to play a wing, slasher, shooter,” said Lyon. “That’s one thing I’ve been working to improve, is my 3-point shot.”