Strickland has offers from Auburn and Virginia Tech – could a Gopher offer be far behind?
Delshon Strickland, a 6-4 senior guard from Minnetonka (MN) High, has made several unofficial visits to the U recently and has seen his recruiting interest from the local squad pick up as well as scholarship offers from Auburn, Virginia Tech and many others.
Strickland transferred to Minnetonka after playing at Holy Angels the past two years. He scored in double figures in all but four games this past season for the Stars and averaged 18.3 points per game. Strickland had nine games of 20 or more points and added two more games of 30 or more, including a season-best 36 points versus Chaska. The Stars were the top seed in Section 6AAA, but were upset in the playoffs. Strickland was a third team College Basketball News’ All-Metro selection.
Gopher Hole recently caught up with Strickland to learn more about his transfer, recruitment and interest in Minnesota.
Gopher Hole: What is the latest on your recruitment right now? How many offers are you up to right now? Do you still keep track or is it getting a little bit harder?
Delshon Strickland: I think that I have about 16.
Gopher Hole: What are some of the more recent offers that you have?
Delshon Strickland: UTEP and Green Bay.
Gopher Hole: Have you thought about when you are going to try to decide on a school? Would you sign in November or would you wait until April?
Delshon Strickland: Right now, I don’t really have a timeline to it, but if all my visits go well, I’ll probably sign early, but if not, I’ll sign in the early spring.
Gopher Hole: You are playing at Minnetonka this season. What are the expectations for you guys?
Delshon Strickland: I attended a few open gyms this summer. They went well. They have a lot of shooters. Kick the ball out. Pretty strong inside with a few big men returning. We are looking forward to having a good run this year in the conference and hopefully, make it out of sections.
Gopher Hole: I know that you were at Holy Angels last season with AAU teammate Jordan Dembley. They had a coaching change with Larry McKenzie moving to Minneapolis North. Was that the main reason you decided to leave there?
Delshon Strickland: Yes. Coach McKenzie and I had a really good relationship as well with Jordan. Jordan felt that Osseo was a better fit for him at the point guard position. Minnetonka needed a “2-guard” and I just went there.
Gopher Hole: What things have you been really working on to continue to improve yourself as a player?
Delshon Strickland: Being more vocal on the floor, ball handling and just being a bigger leader.
Gopher Hole: What are you hearing from the Gophers?
Delshon Strickland: I talk to Coach Young a lot. I used to go up there in the summer, like in June and work out with Rashad (Vaughn) and (former Cooper and current Findlay Prep assistant coach) Pete Kaffey.
Gopher Hole: Is that a school that you are still considering?
Delshon Strickland: For sure. We are just looking forward to seeing what Coach Pitino can do this year with the team.
Gopher Hole: What would it mean to play for the home state school, if that opportunity came up?
Delshon Strickland: It is always good to pick up that home state offer. Just to be able to play in front of people you have been playing your entire high school career. It would be fun. A good experience.