Laramie, Wyo. (July 23, 2020) – Wyoming has attracted some great players from Overland High School in Aurora, Colo. over the past few seasons on the gridiron, but this season incoming freshman Graham Ike (ee-kay) is looking to bring that to the hardwood.

"When I talked to those guys from Overland that came to Wyoming they really gave me a blueprint on how to become a better player," Ike said. "We have had some great athletes come up here and I feel it is a great competition to be the best Overland alum to play for the Cowboys."

Ike, a 6-9, forward was one of the top players in the State of Colorado over the past two seasons at Overland High School. The same school that produced former Cowboy football players Kevin Prosser, Austin Conway and Alijah Halliburton along with current Cowboy safety Cameron Murray.

Two of those players were also standouts on the basketball court at Overland High School. Conway signed with the Pokes to play basketball, but moved to football to become a standout wide receiver and one of the nation's top punt returners. Halliburton, an All-Conference MW safety led the league in tackles last season.

"I didn't watch those guys play live during their high school careers, but I watched so much film on those players and how they moved," Ike said. "I really watch how they played the game and got the opportunity to talk with them."

Conway really made an impression on Ike and a relationship between the two grew into a friendship.

"I talked to Austin Conway quite a bit and he really helped," Ike said. "He told me to know my priorities and your choices will reveal those priorities. Austin also told me to know the mission you are on here at Wyoming. That mission is to get a job done."

Ike and his teammates started that mission on Monday with the first team workouts of the summer. The three-star recruit according to Rivals.com is ready to work and play a role on the Pokes. His senior season was cut short due to injury, but in his limited action he recorded 12 points and 8.5 rebounds per game.  As a junior, Ike was named Second Team All-Colorado by USA Today. He recorded 17.6 points per game and 12 rebounds during his junior campaign. He helped lead his team to be ranked sixth in the State of Colorado. For his career, Ike added 12.5 points per game and 8.6 rebounds.

"It is a simple fact that all the players from Overland work hard," Ike said. "We are always in the gym no matter what time of day. We would do a lot of two a days. We had great coaches that gave us great leadership. The coaches are willing to do anything for us there. Just like the coaches here in Laramie."
 
"Whatever my role is on the team, I'm going to try to play that to the best of my ability," Ike said. "If it means setting screens, rebounding the ball or scoring I'm going to play hard. I'm just here to win and whatever I can do in my role to do that I will do."

Ike was a part of the top recruiting class in the Mountain West this season. He also makes himself the fourth native of Colorado to wear the Brown and Gold this upcoming season.

"Coach Linder is such a great basketball mind and the whole coaching staff are great people who know the game," Ike said. "When you talk to this staff you just feel warm and have a good feeling about the type of people they are."

GoWyo.com will catch up with all the newcomers to Cowboy Basketball this summer.