Isaac Asuma, a 6-foot-2 2004 guard from Cherry (MN) High, continues to attract Midwest attention as he recently picked up offers from Iowa and Iowa State. Minnesota was the first big school to offer him a scholarship earlier this year. (Note: Nebraska offered him Thursday)
Asuma led Cherry to its first state tournament appearance in 25 years.
The Gopher Report recently caught up with Asuma with his D1 Minnesota 16-and-under team at the Great Plains Alliance tournament to learn more about his newest offers, AAU season and upcoming junior year.
The Gopher Report: Coaches could start contacting you earlier this month. What all schools did you end up hearing from?
Isaac Asuma: "It was South Dakota, South Dakota State, Iowa, Northern Iowa, Iowa State, Minnesota, Minnesota Duluth, Belmont, Colorado, Colorado State, Appalachian State and Xavier."
The Gopher Report: That has to make you feel awfully proud of getting that many looks, especially, to be honest, coming from a smaller school?
Asuma: "Yes. It feels good to know that all my hard work is paying off. I have to keep getting better and staying hungry. Going at it every single day."
The Gopher Report: You went down to Ames recently?
Asuma: "We went down and visited Iowa State and Iowa this past Monday-Tuesday and I liked both schools."
The Gopher Report: What was it like visiting Iowa State?
Asuma: "They have a really nice facility and I liked their practice. It was really energetic, high intensity. I just loved that about it."
The Gopher Report: They offered you a scholarship. Were you surprised? Did you think that might happen?
Asuma: "I was a little bit surprised when it happened. It was a possibility, but I wasn’t sure if it was going to happen, but it felt good to get."
The Gopher Report: Had you been hearing much from them before that June period when they could start contacting you directly one-on-one?
Asuma: "It was just on the 15th, the first time I had actually talked to them."
The Gopher Report: They have some Minnesota players on the team like Gabe Kalscheur, Eli King, Robert Jones. Do you know any of those kids at all?
Asuma: "I don’t know them personally, but I know of them."
The Gopher Report: You also went down to Iowa. What was that like?
Asuma: "I like Iowa. They have a really nice facility. I like their pace. I like that they play fast. Get up and down. Space the floor. Shoot a lot of threes. I feel like I fit in that system."
The Gopher Report: They have had a couple of big scorers down there like Luka Garza, who was Player of The Year and Keegan Murray, who was the number four pick in the Draft. When did you start hearing from the Hawkeyes?
Asuma: "I heard from them the first day (that coaches could call). Coach Fran called. They offered when I was there."
The Gopher Report: What about the Gophers? I know that they were the first Power 5 school to offer you. What are you hearing from them?
Asuma: "I just talked to Coach Thorson earlier today. We were just talking about the AAU coming up and it’s just cool to hear from them again."
The Gopher Report: The D1 Minnesota 16-and-under team is playing in South Carolina, Minneapolis and Los Angeles in July. What are you hoping to show in those events?
Asuma: "I just want to keep improving my game. Show that I can lead my team and hopefully, can win the adidas championship."
The Gopher Report: This tournament you are playing up against 17’s. Do you kind of like that, playing against bigger and more physical kids?
Asuma: "Yeah, I like playing against better competition. All the competition that we play is good, but it is good to play against the physicality. We are just getting back into it after a month off, so I’m just happy to be back with my team."
The Gopher Report: You mentioned Coach Thorson. Is he the main coach you are talking to at Minnesota?
Asuma: "Yes and Coach Johnson. He texted me a couple days ago. Just having a regular conversation."
The Gopher Report: I know that they are really preaching to the home state kids to get stay home. Is that what they are saying to you?
Asuma: "Yes. They really want me there and it’s nice to feel wanted."
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