McGee taking his game to the Big 12, signs with Iowa State

Coming off a stellar first season at Cowley College in which he was named the Jayhawk East Freshman of the Year and a First-Team All-Region VI selection, Tyrus McGee was joined on Wednesday by his Tiger teammates and coaches as he signed a letter of intent to play basketball at Iowa State University next season.

McGee's 532 points last season were the 20th most ever scored in a single season at Cowley. The 6-2 sophomore from Stringtown, OK, averaged 16.6 points and 5.3 rebounds, while shooting 50 percent from the floor and 44 percent from three-point range.

He has helped Cowley to a 3-1 start by averaging a team-high 12.3 points through the first four games of the season, while also averaging 4.5 rebounds and 2.8 assists.

"Tyrus is such a unique player, I think the number one thing the coaches recruiting him saw was how hard he plays and secondly, his ability to make shots," Cowley head coach Tommy DeSalme said.

McGee was recruited by several NCAA Division I schools, including Oklahoma State University, the University of Colorado, Indiana University, Texas Christian University, Creighton University, and Wichita State University.

However, he felt a connection with first-year Iowa State head coach Fred Hoiberg, who earned the nickname "The Mayor" while being selected a First-Team All-Big Eight player at Iowa State in 1995.

"Having the head coach (Fred Hoiberg) recruit me led to me signing with Iowa State," McGee said. "The school has a good atmosphere and I got along well with the players and coaches on my visit."

After a distinguished collegiate career, Hoiberg spent 10 years playing in the NBA (National Basketball Association), and was previously the Vice President of Basketball Operations for the Minnesota Timberwolves.

Hoiberg knows a thing or two about shooters and feels McGee is about as good as they come.

"My staff and I feel Tyrus is one of the best junior college players in the country," Hoiberg said. "He is a winner, a leader and adds immediate experience to our backcourt. Tyrus is an outstanding scorer and shooter who can knock down the big shot when his team needs it most."

DeSalme has enjoyed the opportunity to coach McGee and thinks the hard working sophomore will make an impact on the Iowa State University basketball program, while also leaving his mark at Cowley.

"You don't get the opportunity very often to coach that special of a player," DeSalme said. "He has such a love for Cowley. It is a neat day for him to be able to represent Cowley, while moving on."

The sports administration major credits Cowley College and DeSalme with helping him achieve his goal of signing with an NCAA Division I program.

"Cowley has helped me a lot," McGee said. "I would not be signing with a Big 12 school if it were not for coach DeSalme."

Spoken like a true leader and the driven player that he is, McGee expressed his thoughts on this year's Tiger basketball team, which was picked to win the Jayhawk Conference Eastern Division.

"We have got a chance to be good, but we can't expect anything," McGee said.