Former Hawkeye Roy Marble helped Flint’s Monte Morris decide on Iowa State

November 16, 2012 in Division I

By Patrick Hayes

Ordinarily, an Iowa alum would be an unlikely source to help recruit a player to Iowa State. But Hawkeyes legend Roy Marble, a Beecher basketball great, is part of a great 1980s pipeline of talent that went from Flint to the state of Iowa, and when Beecher class of 2013 player Monte Morris wasn’t on the University of Iowa’s recruiting radar because they were set at point guard, Marble helped get Morris to Iowa State. From the Des Moines Register:

Marble said he told Iowa coach Fran McCaffery about Morris, but the Hawkeyes had signed point guards Mike Gesell and Anthony Clemmons in the previous class.

“There was a little bit of interest, but they weren’t really coming after a point guard,” Marble said.

Marble talked to Iowa State coach Fred Hoiberg during the recruiting process.

“Everyone knows I love Iowa,” Marble said. “But this is about the kid. What am I supposed to say? If you’re not going to Iowa, I’m not going to help you? That won’t happen.”

Morris will now be part of a strong Flint legacy in Iowa. Marble is Iowa’s all-time leading scorer. Flint’s Jeff Grayer is Iowa State’s all-time leading scorer and Barry Stevens and Justus Thigpen of Flint are also in Iowa State’s top 10 all-time in scoring. Morris said he understands and wants to be a part of that legacy:

“I was aware of the Flint connection when I went for my visit,” said Morris, a 6-foot-1 point guard and a Top 100 national recruit. “They said I could add to that legacy. I took that into consideration.”


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