Pennsylvania Power Forward Firmly on Iowa Radar
A strong finish to his junior season in high school and an impressive beginning in the spring AAU period has college coaches noticing Dylan Painter.
Iowa’s Fran McCaffery would be among them.
The 6-foot-10, 225-pound power forward reportedly enjoyed a big weekend for Team Final at the EYBL Boo Williams tournament in Hampton, VA. McCaffery spent much of his time there.
"Coach McCaffery was at a few of my games this weekend. I haven’t had a chance to speak with him yet, but I’m hoping he calls me sometime soon. I saw him a lot this weekend, though," Painter said.
Painter knows Iowa is interested after having multiple conversations with assistant Andrew Francis, he said.
"He has been calling me. He said they really like my game. They like my versatility to shoot outside and play inside and pass to open men," Painter said.
The Hershey (PA) High product picked up a scholarship offer from Xavier this weekend after Penn State presented him with an opportunity a few weeks ago. Lehigh, George Mason, Lafayette, American, George Washington, Marist, Holy Cross, Boston University and LaSalle already were on board.
"Besides the schools I have offers from, I’m hearing some from Iowa, (Villanova), Clemson, Dayton and St. Joe’s," he said.
Despite living half a country away, Painter knows the Hawkeyes.
"I’ve seen them play a lot and I know their style suits my game well. I also know their campus is similar to Penn State’s, which is near me and I like that campus," he said.
Painter also feels comfortable with Francis.
"He’s very serious and honest. He told me lot of schools tend to try and show a lot of "love" but it’s about a lot more than just that," he said.
Painter said he’s considering majors in Engineering and Physical Therapy.
"I would ideally like to make a (basketball commitment) before the start of my senior year high school season," he said.
As a junior in 2014-15, Painter averaged 17.8 points, 11.0 rebounds and 4.0 blocks a game while netting 16 three-pointers.