Ivory’s Time to Shine
MEQUON — You may not have noticed, but Kaukauna had some talented players not named Jordan McCabe over the last few seasons. While the reigning Mr. Basketball and now West Virginia point guard commanded all of the attention as his human highlight film ability attracted media from all over the country, quietly, other prospects for the Ghosts have been waiting their turn.
One of those talented prospects putting in work behind the scenes is class 2019 forward Donovan Ivory.
Ivory has three Division 2 scholarship offers.Part of last season’s state championship squad, Ivory averaged 7.6 points and 10.7 rebounds. Getting a chance to show what he can do as the focal point with Wisconsin Blizzard-Ivory, the 6-foot-4 senior is one of the fastest-rising prospects in the state.
“Playing with Jordan — he rightfully had the spotlight — but it pushed me to work harder,” Ivory told Prep Hoops Wisconsin. “Now I’m starting to get attention. It’s really satisfying to see my hard work is paying off and what I did in the dark is coming to the light.”
Currently ranked No. 32 in the Prep Hoops Wisconsin class of 2019 player rankings — and rising — Ivory has picked up three scholarship offers.
Minnesota Duluth: “I like their coaching staff. It’s a new staff and they bring something new to the team. They’re getting a brand new gym. Their campus is also really nice.”
Northern State: “I haven’t seen much of the school aside from pictures, but they are a very successful team, who always has a very big crowd. Games in front of big crowds are always the best, so that’s very exciting.”
Winona State: “They have a fast-paced offense. I like their players a lot. From what I’ve seen of the campus and the gym, it’s really nice.”
Other Division 2 schools who have called about Ivory include Southwest Minnesota State, Northwest Missouri State, and Minot State. With the recruiting process starting to get hectic, Ivory isn’t sure where the next offer might come from.
“There’s a bunch of schools I’m talking to right now,” Ivory said. “Southwest Minnesota State said they’re going to offer in the fall. There’s a bunch of schools right now though.
“They all say that they like how I can handle the ball for my size.”
Ivory has also drawn Division 1 interest this summer. Bradley, Nebraska-Omaha, and Southern Illinois-Edwardsville have all inquired as of late.
While the Division 1 interest is exciting, Ivory won’t base his decision solely on playing at the highest level.
“I’ll probably end up committing in the end of September, early October,” he said. “I’m not really too big on the D1 or D2 thing. I want to go where I fit in best.”