High Majors Flocking to See Skogman

A bouncy, 6-foot-10 center that can run the floor and shoot from 3-point range, David Skogman is seeing his recruitment soar heading into his senior season. Certainly a rare breed of big man with traits that are hard to find in a player his size, the Waukesha West standout has landed two high major offers  ahead of his senior season.

After working out for both programs, Rutgers and Texas Tech each extended a scholarship to the high-upside forward this fall.

Rutgers:   "They saw me in an open gym and came back and I got that offered. I had a meeting with them recently and I really liked the coaches. They have a new staff that's looking to turn around the program."

Texas Tech:   "I went down there for an unofficial visit. I played in an open gym and did very well. They came up next week and offered.   They made it to the Elite Eight last year. I really like the coaches there and what they have to say. I also like the player development."

Skogman has other offers from UC-Davis, Southern Illinois, Valparaiso, Elon, Canisius,  UW-Green Bay, North Dakota, Sam Houston State, Rice, Air Force, LIU-Brooklyn, Furman, Lafayette, American, Bucknell, and UW-Milwaukee.

While he racked up offers during the July evaluation period, Skogman's recruitment became cloudy for a brief period of time. 

Skogman's basketball career, and more importantly, his life, were in danger over the summer.  During an AAU tournament with Ray Allen Select, Skogman unexpectedly suffered a cardiac arrest  and spent the next week in the hospital.

Skogman underwent surgery to repair the damages, and to the surprise of many, doctors couldn't pinpoint the cause of his heart's malfunction. 

"They never found anything wrong with my heart," Skogman said. "I got cleared to play and I'm all good."

Skogman had no prior history of heart disease.  Despite the scare, Skogman said his cardiac arrest may have been a blessing in disguise.

"It was a little scary," he said. "I was thinking I may never play basketball again. When I got the opportunity to come back, it changed my life with how hard I wanted to work."

Skogman averaged a double-double as a junior, posting 11.8 points and 10.4 rebounds per game. Also added 2.4 blocks per contest en route to being named first-team all-conference in the Classic Eight.

Among his mid-major offers, Skogman listed Valparaiso and Southern Illinois as the two he was still seriously considering.  Northwestern, Boston College, and Georgia are also showing interest this fall. Skogman is expecting at least one more high major offer to come his way. 

"Georgia is going to offer me as soon I get cleared by them," he said. "The other two are waiting on other players to see where they go."

Skogman has no leaders at this point in his recruitment. He plans to at least use at least some of his five allotted  official visits before making a decision.

"I think I'm going to try and take a few before the season," he said.