Caledonia’s Eli King commits to Iowa State

CALEDONIA, Minn. (WKBT)–Highly-touted Caledonia junior guard Eli King has committed to Iowa State.

The four star recruit had fielded several offers schools like Minnesota, Iowa, and Stanford, but has decided to play under new ISU’s new coach T.J. Otzelberger in Ames.

The 6-3, 185-pound guard is the No. 73 2022 prospect in the country, and his family has known Otzelberger since Eli was a sixth grader and Otzelberger was recruiting the oldest King brother, Owen.

That relationship with the Kings has remained over the years, and just days after Otzelberger got the Iowa State head coaching job, he re-offered to Eli. That comfort level and previous relationship is one of the main reasons Eli wants to be a Cyclone.

“I wanted to find the right program that I fit in with, and a place I was comfortable with, and a staff I could talk to and trust,” King said. “I liked a lot of the schools but Iowa State really stood out to me.

“When [Otzelberger] reached out to me, he kept reaching out a couple times a week, so that was nice. It really showed me how interested he was.

“He’s always played fast and up-tempo, like we do here [at Caledonia], and I’ve always enjoyed that.”

King averaged 16 points sophomore year but missed his junior season with a torn meniscus.

News 8 Now Sports asked Eli if there might be a chance either of his siblings could join him at Iowa State, since Otzelberger recruited them at South Dakota State. King laughed and said he doubts it’ll happen but any chance to play with his brothers would be a welcome one.

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