Bittersweet Weekend for Cyclone Basketball Recruiting: Ejim and Cook Commit But ISU May Be Out Of The Mix With Barnes

Author Note: At the time of writing the article, Ejim was rated the #20 SF on ESPN. As of 8am CST on ESPN, his ranking has dropped to #50 SF. These rankings can be pretty fluid. It's unknown what prompted the change, although ISU fans are no strangers to seeing recruits ratings drop after commiting to ISU.

The title says it all. Over the weekend, the Cyclones got a 2010 commitment from Small Forward, Melvin Ejim. Ejim is listed at 6-6, 210 lbs, and should be a nice addition with the likely departure of Gillstrap after this year. Rivals lists him as a 3 star, scout a 2 star, while ESPN has him rated the 20th best small forward in the recruiting class. Ejim is originally from Ontario, Canada, but has been playing basketball at Brewster Academy. Ejim was also looking at Providence and Boston College.

The Cyclones also picked up a 2011 commitment from Small Forward, Elgin Cook. Cook is a 6-5, 180 lbs shooting guard from Milwaukee Wisconsin. Cook is the son of former NBA Player Alvin Robertson, so he has the basketball pedigree without a doubt.

Both of these guys sound athletic and will be a nice addition to the Cyclone Basketball program!

In other news, Harrison Barnes will not make an official visit to ISU, and there is some debate as to whether ISU is in the mix.

On one hand, people will say that Barnes doesn't want to (or need to) take an official visit to Iowa State (recruits get 5 official vists, basically 5 free trips) because he's been on campus countless times that there is no point. On the other hand, it still doesn't look good to not visit a school you are supposedly still considering. Both takes have a good points.

All I know is this: while it would be great to get Harrison Barnes, the future of the program does not lie with 1 person. The coaching staff has had a great summer, and really looks to be putting together a team to do well now, and in the near future. Barnes would make that team better, and who wouldn't want the #1 guy in the recruiting class, but ISU will be OK without him, and as fans we will be OK too.