By Jeff Borzello

In order to make a move up the Big Ten pecking order, Iowa head coach Fran McCaffery needs to lock up players in the area.

McCaffery accomplished that on Monday, as point guard Mike Gesell committed to the Hawkeyes. The South Sioux City (Neb.) prospect, who runs with All Iowa Attack on the AAU circuit, chose Iowa over Nebraska. Harvard, Boston College, Stanford and Creighton were also in the mix in the last couple of months.

"I love coach Fran and really believe in his vision for me and the program, and I'm really excited to be a part of it," Gesell said. "And on my unofficial, it just like a great fit and I'm excited to be a part of it."

Gesell is a 6-foot-1 lead guard who has superb handle and deals with defensive pressure effectively. He distributes well and knows how to initiate the offense. Gesell has a very nice feel for the game and is also able to knock down outside shots. He played off the ball with North Carolina-commit running the show on the AAU circuit, but he is more comfortable creating for himself and others.

"I'll be playing point and definitely be hard-working and be a leader," Gesell said. "Just doing everyhting I can to contribute to the team."

Gesell ranks No. 84 in CBSSports.com’s Top 100.

Photo: HuskersExtra.com 

By Jeff Borzello

One of the last players in the pre-July CBSSports.com Top 100 rankings was Javonte Hawkins, a 6-foot-5 wing from Powers Catholic (Mich.).

After his performance with the Michigan Mustangs on the AAU circuit, though, it’s clear Hawkins isn’t content with his standing.

“I want to show that I’m a player,” he said. “I wanted to come out and play defense. I can shoot, I can get to the hole.”

Hawkins is a big-time athlete who uses his length and leaping ability to make plays off the bounce and in transition. He can knock down 3-pointers with consistency, and is not afraid to elevate in traffic around the goal. Defensively, he is aggressive and looks to force turnovers.

Michigan, Cincinnati, USC, Miami (Fl.), South Florida, Iowa, Iowa State, West Virginia, Marquette, Colorado and Providence are all showing interest in the Flint, Mich. product.

Hawkins said Iowa, Iowa State, West Virginia, Colorado and Marquette are showing the most interest at this point.

“A place that likes to run,” he said when asked what he is looking for in a school. “A team that plays hard, plays defense and runs the floor.”

His mindset is certainly that of a top-100 player; after July, he has the game to back it up. 

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By Jeff Borzello

Every year at the NBPA Top 100 camp in mid-June, a player breaks out. He usually goes from being a borderline top-100 player to a must-get prospect for many colleges.

This year, that player was undoubtedly Adam Woodbury.

The 6-foot-11 center from East High School (Iowa) won the MVP award at the camp, dominating all week with his unstoppable lefty jump hook. He can pass out of the post and knows how to finish around the rim. Woodbury was slowly rising up the charts all spring, but his performance in Virginia put him over the top.

“I felt I held my own against the top talent in the nation,” Woodbury said Tuesday. “That award gave me more confidence, and I feel this showed a lot of people what I’m capable of.”

Before the camp, he held offers from Iowa, Minnesota, Stanford and Ohio State, with some interest coming from North Carolina, Kansas, Florida and Wisconsin.

Since then, he has definitely seen an uptick in the colleges pursuing him.

“My recruiting has definitely picked up,” Woodbury said. “Wisconsin has offered me. I have heard from North Carolina, Duke, Kansas, Florida and Texas recently.”

Woodbury, who holds a 3.9 GPA, has a few factors that will impact his college decision.

“Style of play, coaches, the educational aspect,” he said. “A college that puts me in a place I can succeed.”

It will be interesting to see if Woodbury continues his stellar play during the July live period.

For now, though, he is trying to stay humble and get better as his recruitment rises.

“It’s definitely an honor,” hes said. “I’m excited to keep working hard and to continue to improve.”

Photo: Sioux City Journal