Prospect Update: Josh Ollendieck (2020)
As a junior, Josh Ollendieck was the lone junior starter for the 4A state champs, Cedar Falls. The 6-foot-2 guard is continuing to solidify himself as one of Iowa’s most solid prospects.
It’s Ollendieck’s skill, in particular his sharpshooting ability that makes him one of the state’s best hoops prospects; his length (6’4 wing-span) and hoops IQ are strengths, too.
“Mainly, I’ve just been working on my shooting and staying consistent with that, and ball-handling, just making sure that my handles are tight,” said Ollendieck. “And I’ve been working on my decision-making skills a little bit more.”
As a junior, Ollendieck flourished. He was the Tigers’ second-leading scorer, going for 10.3 points per game, and made a team-high 50 3s at a blistering 45.5% clip.
“It meant a lot to be able to start on that team this year. I knew if I did my job, I’d get a chance to do that,” Ollendieck said. “My job was the play defense as hard as I could and hit shots when I was open, and just do what the team needed me to.”
This spring and summer, the lengthy sharpshooter will play with Iowa Barnstormers 17U Silver. He’s hoping to continue and see his recruitment ramp up.
“This summer, I’m just really hoping to get a lot better and a lot more confident. I want to play really good and have a lot of coaches see me. I just want to play against a lot of really good competition that will challenge me and push me a lot,” said Ollendieck.
“I get a lot of emails daily from all levels; Wayne State sends me a lot of mail, Briar Cliff, Midland, they’ve sent me a lot of stuff, too. A lot of the emails I get are camp invites.”
He added: “I’m just really hoping to get on the radar of a lot of D2 programs and good NAIA schools, JuCos. I’m really open to anything right now, just hoping I find a good fit with a coach I like and a good program.”