Hauser has plenty of options
Stevens Point, Wisc. forward Joey Hauser has become a hot commodity for all the top basketball programs in the Midwest. The four-star prospect had a terrific travel season playing with the Iowa Barnstormers 16-under, and now has plenty of options to choose from at the next level.
Since the end of the July recruiting periods, five schools have been the most consistently involved in his recruitment: Iowa, Marquette, Michigan State, Virginia and Wisconsin. Hauser has yet to take any visits in recent months, but hopes to get out during the season.
IN HIS OWN WORDS
Hauser shared what stands out about each program and discussed the idea of playing with his brother at Marquette.
Iowa: “I play for the Iowa Barnstormers, so I go to know them a little bit through that. Iowa is always a top 25 program every year. I like the way they play under coach (Fran) McCaffery. He lets his guys play. I’ve become pretty fond of them from watching them play. They have told me a lot about how I would fit in and I can see it.”
Marquette: “I really like Marquette because I have such a great relationship with the coaching staff. I’ve known coach Wojo (Steve Wojciechowski) for three or four years now because they recruited my brother when he was a freshman. I have a great relationship with my brother who is there and he can fill me in on how things go there. They are an up and coming program that is going to be really good the next few years.”
On potentially playing with his brother at Marquette: “It would be cool to play with him, but he knows it’s my decision go where I want to go. He’s not really pressuring me a ton because he wants me to pick the school that fits me best.”
Michigan State: “Michigan State has told me that I’m the kind of guy they recruit. I really like Michigan State. coach (Tom) Izzo is a really down to earth guy. He’s awesome to be around. Obviously Michigan State is a program that sets the bar for a lot of other programs.”
Virginia: “I really like Virginia. Coach (Tony) Bennett is from around this area. He went to the same middle school as me and then he moved his freshman year. It’s the same thing there. I have a great relationship with him and the coaching staff. Coach Bennett is extremely nice.
Wisconsin: “They got a couple of really nice commitments coming in this year and the next year. They are going to be a really good team. They are that program that quietly goes about going to two Final Fours in the past five years and made it to the national championship. They have become that program that is always going to be tough to beat.”
WHAT'S NEXT?
Hauser seems to be most focused on his junior season of high school basketball right now. Visits will happen periodically throughout the season to learn more about the schools, and he hopes to have a decision sometime during the upcoming travel season.
RIVALS' REACTION
Each of the schools recruiting Hauser has a different reason for why they should like their chances of signing him in the 2018 class. Marquette and Virginia have the advantage through a long term relationship. Wisconsin is the home state school. Iowa has a travel teammate already committed. Michigan State is the traditional power in the group. If we had to handicap it now, Marquette and Michigan State seem to be the early favorites.