Brackins Accepts Leadership Role

AMES, Iowa- Iowa State sophomore Craig Brackins is ready for a new challenge in 2008-09. Reporters and fans have already noticed a different Brackins from a year ago. He's more outgoing, confident and one season of Big 12 basketball under his belt has made him even better prepared.

As ISU's top returning scorer (11.4 ppg) and rebounder (5.0 rpg), the Palmdale, Calif., native, knows he has to be a leader for this young Cyclone team. He already possesses incredible basketball skills and his athletic ability is off the charts. Getting past the mental barriers and inconsistencies that plague all freshmen is now his next focus.

“I have been really working on my game and trying to be consistent every day in practice,” Brackins said. “I need to be more consistent and stronger when I get to the basket and I have worked on being better focused and prepared when I come to practice. I know the younger guys on our team see this and you have to set an example for them.”

Brackins certainly showed incredible promise in his rookie season last year. He started all 32 games and tallied double figures in scoring 10 times in 16 league games. He posted five 20-point outings and elevated his production late in the year, ending the season by averaging 19.0 points in the final three contests. ISU head coach Greg McDermott is excited to see a more experienced Brackins on the court this season.

“I want to be careful to single out any player on our team, but obviously Craig is a talented player,” McDermott said. “He is very important to our team with the role we are going to ask him to play. We need him to be more consistent and he has already showed us that he is up to the task.”

Mike Taylor Earns Spot on Clippers Roster
Former Cyclone Mike Taylor made the opening-day roster for the Los Angeles Clippers. A 2007 honorable mention Big 12 selection and 2008 second-round NBA draft pick, Taylor became the 16th former Cyclone to play a game in the NBA in the Clippers' opening-day loss to the Lakers. Taylor saw 7:53 minutes of action, scoring three points and dishing out three assists.

Taylor joins Zaid Abdul-Aziz, Victor Alexander, Will Blalock, Price Brookfield, Kelvin Cato, Marcus Fizer, Jeff Grayer, Fred Hoiberg, Jeff Hornacek, Loren Meyer, Paul Shirley, Barry Stevens, Jamaal Tinsley, Jackson Vroman and Dedric Willoughby as players who ended their collegiate careers at Iowa State and went on to appear in a NBA contest.

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Craig Brackins

Craig Brackins

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