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Facebook Email Twitter Google+ LinkedIn Pinterest Drake basketball: Nick Norton's NCAA appeal, Okay Djamgouz, in-state recruiting The Bulldogs recently filed paperwork as part of Nick Norton's appeal for an extra season, and they anticipate a ruling from the NCAA at some point in the coming weeks.
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Drake basketball: Nick Norton's NCAA appeal, Okay Djamgouz, in-state recruiting Matthew Bain , Des Moines Register Published 1:56 p.m. CT May 4, 2019 | Updated 2:05 p.m. CT May 4, 2019 CLOSE Drake's head coach gives an update on Nick Norton's appeal to the NCAA for another season. Matthew Bain, mbain@dmreg.com
CONNECT TWEET LINKEDIN COMMENT EMAIL MORE Drake still doesn't know if star point guard Nick Norton will be back next season.
The team has yet to receive a verdict from the NCAA regarding Norton's appeal for a waiver that would allow him to play another season, Bulldogs head coach Darian DeVries said at Friday's Coaches vs. Cancer gala in West Des Moines.
DeVries said additional paperwork was recently filed as part of the appeal and they anticipate a ruling at some point in the next 2-3 weeks.
"We’re hopeful. I think it’s a unique case," DeVries said. "It’s one that not everybody goes through what he’s gone through, so we’re hopeful there will be some sentiment from their part that he’s been through a lot, and this is one of those cases where maybe there’s an exception to the rule."
Buy Photo Drake's Nick Norton passes during their basketball game at the Hy-Vee Classic on Saturday, Dec. 15, 2018, in Des Moines. Iowa State takes a 36-32 lead into the half. (Photo: Brian Powers/The Register)
The crux of Drake's appeal is Norton's medical history. He has torn the ACL in his left knee three times. The first as a high school junior. Then after playing just one game as a junior at Alabama-Birmingham. The most recent tear came after 14 games this year with Drake, while Norton was in the midst of an All-Missouri Valley Conference season.
The NCAA stipulates that a player must not have competed in more than 30 percent of the team's non-postseason contests to be eligible for a medical hardship waiver.
However, that rule isn't always rigidly followed, depending on different circumstances. There is gray area. Drake is banking on that, because Norton played in 41.2 percent of the team's non-postseason games in 2018-19.
"That’s what we’re hoping — that hardship of extreme circumstances (helps his case)," DeVries said.
Okay? Okay On April 24, Drake signed its fourth 2019 high school recruit in Okay Djamgouz, a 6-foot-5 point guard out of Ontario, Canada. He was originally a 2020 prospect, but decided to re-classify and join the Bulldogs early.
Djamgouz visited Drake in November. He also held offers from Kansas State, Tulane and North Carolina A&T.
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"It wasn’t necessarily a surprise," DeVries said. "(Re-classifying to 2019) was something he had been thinking about all year, and he was taking his time to really go through the process. He wanted to make the decision when he knew it was right.
"He’s got great size. He’s very versatile. He’s more than just a shooter. He can go create off the bounce, he can make plays for others. He’s a gym rat — exactly what you love when you have kids coming in and you’re still establishing that culture."
'They're awesome for us' The Bulldogs have also been active on the transfer market this spring.
Nov 11, 2018; East Lansing, MI, USA; Florida Gulf Coast Eagles forward Brady Ernst (21) shoots over Michigan State Spartans forward Kyle Ahrens (0) during the first half of a game at the Breslin Center. Mandatory Credit: Mike Carter-USA TODAY Sports (Photo: Mike Carter, Mike Carter-USA TODAY Sports)
And their two additions, Jonah Jackson and Brady Ernst, project to fill immediate needs for Drake's 2019-20 team.
Jackson, a 6-3 shooting guard out of John A. Logan College, shot 46.9% from long range last season and will go a long way in replacing Brady Ellingson on the perimeter. Ernst, a 6-10 graduate transfer with stops at Iowa State, Florida Gulf Coast and Indian Hills, will help ease the loss of Nick McGlynn down low.
Both are immediately eligible.
"They’re awesome for us," DeVries said. "Jonah obviously fills a huge void with Brady’s departure. And then Brady, with Nick McGlynn (gone), just having some experience (is important). He gives us a great security guard around town, too. He’s a big ol’ boy. We’re excited. I think he’ll give us a nice presence inside at both ends of the floor."
In-state recruiting It's no secret that Drake and Northern Iowa have prioritized Norwalk 2020 point guard Bowen Born. The Bulldogs' full coaching staff conducted an in-home visit with him on Monday, and UNI was in to see Born on Wednesday.
NEWSLETTERS Get the High School Sports newsletter delivered to your inbox We're sorry, but something went wrong Highlights and top stories on high school sports and athletes. Please try again soon, or contact Customer Service at 1-877-424-0225. Delivery: Mon-Sun Invalid email address Thank you! You're almost signed up for High School Sports Keep an eye out for an email to confirm your newsletter registration. More newsletters Moving forward, Iowa's 2021 class of talent is shaping up quite well. The Bulldogs have already offered Iowa Falls-Alden guard Karson Sharar and they're keeping a close eye on Cedar Falls power forward Chase Courbat, Dubuque Hempstead guard/wing Michael Duax and Council Bluffs Abraham Lincoln point guard Jadin Johnson.
► RECRUIT RANKINGS: Who are the top 15 in-state 2021 prospects?
Buy Photo Class of 2021 point guard Jadin Johnson looks up at a free throw while playing with Martin Bros AAU. (Photo: Matthew Bain/The Register)
"The talent is really good in the state," DeVries said. "It’s deep throughout the classes, and certainly something we’re really focused on as we continue forward here with these next couple classes. Having those guys come on campus, get to know us.
"We hope they see a style that’s fun to play and they see an unselfish style; guys really enjoying being out there and competing, and how much fun we have with the game."
Matthew Bain covers recruiting, Iowa/Iowa State athletics and Drake basketball for the Des Moines Register and USA TODAY Network. Contact him at mbain@dmreg.com and follow him on Twitter @MatthewBain_.
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