Published: April 12, 2007 05:03 pm         

Another ISU recruit asks out

Big man Clayton Vette, Iowa’s Mr. Basketball, looking at other schools

TERRE HAUTE — The pull of home proved to be too much for Clayton Vette to resist.

The Iowa Mr. Basketball — one of the most prized recruits of Indiana State’s incoming freshman class — won’t be playing basketball at Indiana State.

It was first reported in several Iowa newspapers on Thursday, and the ISU basketball office confirmed that Vette will be released from his letter of intent today.

Indiana State declined further comment on Vette’s release. Messages left for Vette at his home were not returned.

The 6-foot-9 Vette — a Waverly, Iowa native — led Waverly-Shell Rock to Iowa’s Class 3A state championship. Vette averaged 19.1 points and 11.1 rebounds per game, despite playing with an injured hamstring for most of the season.

Waverly-Shell Rock coach Tom Bardal said Vette’s decision boils down to one thing.

“He wants to play closer to home. That’s the only reason,” Bardal said. “I talked to him a little bit about it and he said it had been bothering him for the last month or so. He’s had a lot of friends and people in the community who wanted him to play close to home. He’s close with his dad, mom and his brother dad and I think he wants them to be able to see him play.”

Bardal said in the Des Moines Register that Iowa State, Iowa, Purdue and Nevada have shown interest in Vette. Bardal is serving as the go-to person for schools interested in Vette. Bardal stressed in a Tribune-Star interview that no schools had contacted Vette directly.

Bardal told the Tribune-Star that Minnesota has also contacted him. Bardal also said that Vette won’t be playing at Purdue or Nevada, given his interest in playing close to home. He also said that the Iowa-based Missouri Valley Conference schools would not be an option for Vette.

ISU recruit Jordan Printy confirmed that he is still coming to ISU. But Printy, a Marion, Iowa native, is disappointed that he won’t be joined by Vette, who was his teammate with the Iowa-based Martin Brothers AAU team.

“I was a little down about it, I was looking forward to playing with Clayton. We played AAU together, so we know each other’s games pretty well,” said Printy, who heard Vette wasn’t coming on Thursday afternoon. “I didn’t really have any indication this would happen. I don’t really know the situation. He has to do what’s best for him.”

Leopold’s Aaron Carter, who also re-affirmed his commitment to ISU, didn’t have as much floor time with Vette as Printy in a pick-up game, but he was impressed by what little he saw of his would-be teammate.

“I’ve played against [Vette] a few times and he really could have helped us,” Carter said. “This is not good. It’s unfortunate and kind of disappointing.”

During his original recruitment, Vette indicated that Drake, Illinois State and Bradley were the schools that were originally interested in his services. He made his verbal commitment to ISU in September of 2006 and signed his letter of intent in November. At the time, Vette’s recruitment didn’t generate much buzz away from ISU, but after his successful senior season, culminating in Waverly-Shell Rock’s easy state championship run, his reputation rose significantly.

The loss of Vette leaves ISU without a big man in its incoming freshman class, though the Sycamores have returning experience in the frontcourt with Jay Tunnell, Adam Arnold, Mick Yelovich and Brant Leitnaker.

Vette is the second player from ISU’s original 2007-08 freshman class to be granted his release. Franklin Central’s John Ashworth was released from his letter of intent in March. His scholarship has since been filled by Lafayette point guard Lamar Lee.

Vette’s open scholarship could be used on a junior college prospect or it could be held over for the 2008-09 class.

Meanwhile, Printy wanted to soothe any fears about his commitment to ISU. Printy’s stock also rose during an Iowa Class 4A state championship run at Linn-Mar High School.

“I’d tell them its not true at all,” said Printy when asked about ISU fans’ fears he might leave. “[McKenna] and coach Lansing came over to our house last week and met with me and my family. It went really well. I was impressed with him, he seems to be a good coach.”