By SAM LANCE
BRANSON, MO — The Link Academy squad this season has just one returning player: Andre Iguodala II, the son of four-time NBA champion Andre Iguodala. With that, the Lions will be relying on Iguodala’s leadership.
“It has to be a big thing for me, helping everyone out,” Iguodala said. “I’m kind of knowing what’s already coming for us and what to deal with. So keeping guys on track, that could be a big role for me. And then obviously hitting shots and doing the little things for our team.”
Over this past summer, Iguodala played with the 17u West Coast Elite squad on the Under Armour AAU circuit. There, he averaged 3.3 points and 2.5 rebounds per game while shooting 43% from the field and 11-of-30 (37%) from deep.
“I got better and got to showcase my skills a little more,” Iguodala said of his summer. “The three ball was going in, but yeah. I got better over the course of the summer throughout every tournament. I feel like that’s the main thing, just keep improving.”
Now, Iguodala will be a key piece for Link Academy as they go for Chipotle nationals. He will provide Link with some depth at the wing position.
“I feel like I’m kind of a shooter,” Iguodala said of his game. “6-foot-8 shooter. I like to space the floor. I’m good on defense, definitely going hard on defense. And I can pass the ball too. And then a little athletic, kind of getting there, but those are the main things that I would say.”
On the recruitment front, Iguodala currently holds no offers. However, he’s been hearing from some schools like his father’s alma mater Arizona, Arizona State, Auburn, Pepperdine and St. Mary’s. He’s officially visited Arizona and hasn’t taken any other visits so far. Iguodala is planning some more officials for toward the end of the year.
Iguodala broke down the schools involved to ZAGSBLOG:
Arizona: “I like the style of play. The coaching staff treats me well whenever I’m there. And then I like the area. They have a good business school too. So academics is pretty important and that’s a big thing too. They develop pros. They brought in Carter Bryant this year. The squad is looking really good this year. I just like what [Tommy Lloyd] is doing with the players. The player development there, they can just develop me into a pro. That’s a big thing for me and obviously pretty important.”
On his favorite part of the visit: “My dad got inducted into the hall of fame. So I got to be there for that. There was a ceremony and a dinner so it was pretty fun being there.”
Arizona State: “Arizona State just talked to me, said they wanted to start recruiting me. So I’m not really sure. Just have to start talking to them a little bit more. That will be important. I know [Bobby Hurley] has been coaching for a long time. They brought in some big time recruits this year. They brought in JQ [Jayden Quaintance] and Joson [Sanon]. So they are looking to be more of an up-and-coming program.”
Auburn: “Same thing with them. I like the recruits they brought in this year, Tahaad [Pettiford] and Jahki [Howard]. They are kind of like a historic program. They’ve been good for a long time, had Charles Barkley back a long time ago. But with [Bruce Pearl], I haven’t really talked to him yet. I’ve been talking to an assistant. But they are a very consistent program and they will be good for a long time I think.”
Pepperdine: “Pepperdine has a really beautiful campus. That’s what I know so far. But also with them, a lot of these schools are coming in late. They’ve just been coming to the practices, so I haven’t gotten to talk to them too much. But I think Pepperdine — they had Maxwell Lewis. We have a similar game so maybe I could be something like him.”
Iguodala’s recruitment will likely stretch out more toward the spring.
“Definitely toward the end of the season,” Iguodala said. “Not like signing day, early.”
Of course, with Iguodala’s father being a former NBA star, he’s been taught a lot about the game.
“I think with him, he teaches me the fundamentals pretty well and just playing the right way,” Iguodala said of his father. “I think I’m just trying to get the tools because right now, I’m still a little raw. But people just tell me I have a lot of potential and to keep working. And that’s what he’s telling me a lot. So if I keep working hard and keep getting stronger, I could be a really good player one day.”
Sometimes, the two work out together. Iguodala said his dad likes to do a lot of post work. The last time the two played 1v1 was about three months ago before Iguodala left for school. When they play, they play a best of seven series with games going to 21.
“We went to game seven,” Iguodala said. “He barely won. I’m getting there… That was the closest I got last time. I’ll get him next time for sure.”
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