Nation's No. 6 basketball recruit on Ames: 'Very exciting'

AMES, Ia. – If enthusiasm is part of Cheick Diallo's criteria for choosing a college, then Iowa State made the final cut.

"This place is very exciting," one of the nation's top high school recruits said two hours before Saturday night's Cyclones-Baylor football game at Jack Trice Stadium.

Diallo, a 6-foot-9 senior and the No. 6 recruit in the nation, according to Rivals.com, made the football game one of his stops during an official visit to campus.

He's already visited Kansas, Kentucky and Pittsburgh. He will visit St. John's next, and then make his decision.

"Probably around April," said Diallo, who averaged 16.4 points, 9.9 rebounds and 2.7 blocked shots a game last season at Our Savior New American High School in Centereach, N.Y.

Diallo came to the United States from Bamako, Mali, with one plan in mind – the NBA. Many say whatever college he attends, it will be one season and done.

"I want to go someplace that will help me go to a different level, a high level," Diallo said. "Iowa State is a good school. I like the coach. I like the players."