Hawkeyes Ink Four Talented Recruits

Nov. 11, 2009

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IOWA CITY — University of Iowa Men’s Basketball Coach Todd Lickliter announced today that Ben Brust, Cody Larson, Devyn Marble and Zach McCabe have signed National Letters of Intent to attend the University of Iowa.

“We’re excited to have these four young men join our program and the University of Iowa,” said Lickliter. “They are highly skilled and will be a great complement to the foundation that is already in place. This class accentuates the positive team approach we’re emphasizing. We love the versatility, basketball knowledge, and skills they possess.”

McCabe, who was a teammate with current Hawkeye freshman Brennan Cougill, helped lead Bishop Heelan to a state championship in 2009. The native of Sioux City, IA, was recognized on the all-tournament squad after capturing the title. The 6-7, 215-pounder is a two-time all-district, all-conference, all-city, all-Northwest Iowa and Omaha World Herald all-Western Iowa honoree. He also was a first team Iowa Newspaper Association all-state honoree as a junior and a third team all-state selection as a sophomore. The Des Moines Register also tabbed McCabe a second team all-stater in 2009. McCabe averaged 16.1 points, nine rebounds and 5.3 assists as a junior and 13.8 points and 6.8 rebounds his sophomore campaign. He has been tabbed Bishop Heelan’s team captain this season.

Also, a football standout, McCabe boasted a 35-4 record as a three-year starting quarterback. His team was state champions his junior year and runner-up as a sophomore. He broke the city’s season passing record with 2,461 passing yards this year. McCabe was a prep teammate of current Hawkeye true freshman tailback Brandon Wegher. McCabe was a third team all-state quarterback in 2007 and all-district, all-city and all-Northwest Iowa in 2008. McCabe is an honor roll student, boasting a 3.2 GPA.

“Zach is a proven winner and a fierce competitor,” Lickliter said. “Zach has 3-point range but he can also score with his back to the basket in the post. His ball handling skills allow him to drive it to the rim or create for his teammates.”

Larson, who ranks 94th in the class of 2010 according to rscihoops.com, is a three-time letterwinner at Roosevelt High School in Sioux Falls, SD. Last season, he averaged 17.8 points, 9.5 rebounds, 2.7 assists and 2.0 blocks. As a junior, he was recognized on the South Dakota AA first all-state team, first team all-league and Sioux Falls Argus Leader first five. The 6-9, 230-pounder is a two-time Sioux Falls all-city team honoree. Larson was also tabbed second team all-conference as a sophomore in helping lead his team to an 18-8 record and sixth place finish at the state tournament. Larson’s team posted a 16-7 record his freshman campaign and won the conference championship. Larson also competed on the Dakota Schoolers 17 & Under AAU team from 2006-09.

“Cody is another versatile player who is comfortable in the post or facing the basket on the perimeter,” said Lickliter. “He is a gifted athlete who has good size and excellent basketball skills. His approach is very team-oriented.”

Brust has played the last two seasons at Mundelein High School in Illinois after playing as a freshman at Hershey High School. The 6-2, 180-pound guard averaged 27.5 points per game, four rebounds and 2.3 assists his junior year before breaking his right ankle in mid-January. He poured in 45 points against arch-rival Libertyville last year, which included draining six 3-pointers. Despite only playing 18 games, he was recognized on the all-area team and was named the team’s co-MVP. He started every game, averaging 17 points and five rebounds, and was an all-conference and all-area honoree his sophomore campaign. Brust is an honor roll student, boasting a 3.45 GPA. He played on the same AAU team (Rising Stars) as Hawkeye freshman Cully Payne.

“Ben is highly competitive,” said Lickliter. “He can score a variety of ways, whether it’s penetrating to the basket or shooting the ball from behind the arc. Ben is also an excellent ball handler and a terrific teammate.”

Marble is a 6-5, 180-pound wing player from Southfield, MI. The son of Iowa’s all-time leading scorer, Roy Marble, he averaged 22 points, nine rebounds, four assists and two steals, and was named team MVP his junior season for Lathrup High School. Marble was a first team all-state and Oakland Red first team honoree in 2009. He was honored with the Most Promising Prospect Award at the 2008 Five-Star Robert Morris Summer Camp. While at the camp, Marble was named to the MVP All-Star Team. He averaged a triple-double 28 points, 11 rebounds and 10 assists. Marble also averaged 21 points, seven rebounds, two assists and two steals for his Detroit Family AAU team.

“Devyn is an athletic combo guard that can play all three perimeter positions,” Lickliter said. “He is a scoring guard that can also distribute the ball. Devyn can make the game look easier than it is with his court vision and skill.”

2009 Recruiting ClassBen Brust            G  6-2 180 Mundelein, IL (Mundelein HS)Cody Larson F   6-9 230 Sioux Falls, SD (Roosevelt HS)Devyn Marble    G/F 6-5 180 Southfield, MI (Lathrup HS)Zach McCabe F   6-7 215 Sioux City, IA (Bishop Heelan HS)