Iowa State in good shape with three-star
Ross Travis will probably be a small forward in college but for his high school team in Chaska, Minn., the 6-foot-7, 205-pound junior does a little bit of everything - and wants to get everybody involved.
"I've been trying to control the game, help all my teammates out, get everybody on the team rolling so it's easier to come out with a victory," Travis said. "I'm just trying to get everybody going so the game could be won easier.
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"I'm probably going to play the small forward position at 6-7 but I want to work on my ball-handling if I want to play more guard but I can see myself at small forward."
Gaining weight was important for Travis, who played around 195 last AAU season, so he put on 10 pounds and has seen a noticeable difference in his game.
He can overpower some players now. He can get to the basket with some strength. He can bump and bang in the post which is helping his overall game. It could translate into more offers when college coaches see him in action.
"It has helped going to the hole, being able to bump people out of the way, getting to the hole I can definitely tell that weight gain helps," Travis said.
There haven't been many changes in recruiting for Travis, who's averaging 11.8 points, six rebounds and three assists per game. He's had a few double-doubles and one triple-double this season.
The same six offers are on the table with Iowa State, Oregon State, Rice, Santa Clara, Northern Iowa and North Dakota State but Travis said two schools in particular stand out with the Cyclones leading the way.
"Iowa State is the most exciting offer," Travis said. "They play high Division I teams which I'm looking for and the school is big so that was the most exciting offer."
Coach Kerry Keating's squad at Santa Clara is not far behind though.
"Santa Clara, even though they're not doing well this year, they're all the way out in California, so that was pretty exciting, too," Travis said.
Travis said Washington has increased its interest recently but not much else is happening. He thinks things will pick up once college coaches see him on the AAU circuit this spring and summer and realize he's playing with some extra weight and some extra power.
"The higher Division I schools, all the bigger schools, are waiting on me to see if I get bigger," Travis said. "I'm trying to work on my strength to get physically bigger so the game is easier."