By Adam Hensley | [email protected]
Many could have predicted where Iowa City West forward Patrick McCaffery would wind up committing to play college hoops, but the junior made his commitment “official” via Twitter on the evening of Oct. 5.
it may come as a big surprise, but i have decided to commit to play for my father at the University of Iowa‼️ go hawks? #hawkeyenation pic.twitter.com/2gx9QPXi4z
— Patrick McCaffery (@patrickmccaff22) October 5, 2017
McCaffery, a son of Iowa hoops head coach Fran McCaffery, ranks as ESPN’s 30th-best recruit in the 2019 class, earning a four-star rating and a grade of 89.
247 Sports also tabs Patrick McCaffery as a four-star prospect but grades him with a 0.9847 composite score (according to the website, this rating signifies a “player has excellent pro potential and should emerge as one of the best in the country before the end of his career”).
Patrick McCaffery is the top basketball recruit for the 2019 class in the state of Iowa.
Junior @patrickmccaff22 has committed to Iowa! Son of head coach Fran McCaffery & ranked top 30 in the country pic.twitter.com/N5KvktHXbh
— Courtside Films (@CourtsideFilms) October 6, 2017
Since 2012, Fran McCaffery has landed seven four-star players, a steep increase in high-profile recruits from the one four-star prospect (Tyler Smith) Iowa snagged from 2002-2011.
Iowa basketball four-star recruits since 2016:
Patrick McCaffery ’19
Wieskamp ’18
Connor McCaffery ’17
Garza ’17
Cook ’16
Bohannon ’16— Adam Hensley (@A_Hens83) October 6, 2017
Patrick McCaffery is one of three players in ESPN’s top 30 for 2019 to officially commit to a school so far. Last season as a sophomore at West, he averaged 13.8 points per game, 4.3 rebounds, 2.1 assists, and 1.8 blocks per game (Quik Stats Iowa) while helping West to a 23-3 record.
Various former Hawkeyes took to Twitter to congratulate him on making his decision official.
You know it’s real when this pops up in your notifications! Congrats @patrickmccaff22. Knew you were great since a young bull! #Hawkeyes pic.twitter.com/ed8wINVDGS
— Jarryd Cole (@Jarryd_Cole) October 6, 2017
Happy for you and the program m!! Congrats 5star lol @patrickmccaff22 https://t.co/3Jq58pp8Ca
— Aaron White (@Aaron_White30) October 6, 2017
The Hawkeyes will open their season on Oct. 27 against William Jewell College in Carver-Hawkeye at 7 p.m.
