Jarrod Uthoff has been back in Iowa and playing in Prime Time for a three weeks now. He came home.

The ex-Wisconsin player signed with the Badgers out of high school, when he was the state of Iowa’s most talented basketball recruit. Uthoff played high-school ball for Cedar Rapids Jefferson from 2006-2010. He led the state in scoring, averaging 26.1 points per game.

But after redshirting his freshman season at Wisconsin, Uthoff decided he wanted to come back home. He left the Badgers and announced he’d like to play for Iowa. Under NCAA regulations, Uthoff won’t be eligible to put on a Hawkeye uniform until the 2013-14 season, and he can’t communicate with Iowa athletics until he enrolls in the UI.

But Uthoff has played four games in the Prime Time League after being selected in the draft. The forward spoke with The Daily Iowan about what it has been like to play basketball in his home state once again.

Daily Iowan: What was your first year at Wisconsin like? Being away from your home and family to play basketball.

Jarrod Uthoff: I really liked the school itself. It was awesome. Deciding to come back to Iowa was all about the basketball, not anything to do with Wisconsin as a whole … I missed Iowa, but it was a basketball decision.

DI: What are you planning to do in the year off you have from college basketball?

Uthoff: I’m going to get a lot stronger, and I’m going to improve my athleticism and be a better basketball player. I’m going to get ready to play.

DI: You’re going to have to do a lot of that work on your own. What is your motivation going to be during your year off?

Uthoff: Just to be the best basketball player I can be, to get ready for the next season, so I can help my teammates and my team out during that season… I’m looking forward to getting a chance to play college basketball.

DI: You grew up so close to the Hawkeyes, and now you’re back here playing in Prime Time this summer. Is it refreshing to play basketball in your home again?

Uthoff: It’s nice to have all my friends and family there to support me. I’m happy to be back, really happy.