‘Impact’ players
During a late-season news conference, Todd Lickliter indicated that the Hawkeyes were still actively recruiting for the spring signing period with hopes of landing an “impact” player.
The Iowa coach did not provide an example of his definition of an “impact” player, but from the emails I’ve received and the message boards I’ve seen fans seem to be having a tough time wrapping their arms around the notion that Devon Archie might be that impact player.
After all, the 6-foot-9, 215-pound power forward doesn’t have the most eye-popping stats. He averaged 6.6 points, 6 rebounds and blocked more than 1 shot a game this past season at Vincinnes.
Archie is apparently a player who has grown 3-to-4 inches since his senior season at Ben Davis High School in Indianapolis, a traditionally-strong basketball program in that state. He also apparently brings a blue-collar approach to things, a player who doesn’t mind playing a little defense, welcomes the challenge of working the offensive boards and has been known throw in a crowd-pleasing dunk or two along the way.
If he can provide those things, he can contribute inside for an Iowa program in need of inside help to complement Jarryd Cole and newcomer Brennan Cougill as it works toward the 2009-10 season.
In reality, that is probably what Lickliter is talking about when he speaks of “impact” players, players whose skills can contribute within the framework of the team game. Archie may fit that definition.
Archie is the third member of Iowa’s recruiting class. Don’t be surprised if he is not the last. Lickliter and assistant coach Chad Walthall have spent time on the road looking at junior college talent this week, including Chipola JC point guard Malcolm Armstead.
Any additional recruits will put Iowa over the limit of 13 scholarship players for the 2009-10 season, but coaches have until the start of fall semester classes to determine just who holds those 13 available scholarships.
