Wagner still set to sign with Iowa

The NCAA signing period for basketball opens in two weeks, and Huber Heights (Ohio) Wayne's Ahmad Wagner still plans to sign with Iowa despite continued college interest in him for football.

"I just think my best decision is to stay with Iowa and that's the decision I've stuck with," Wagner said. "When I made the decision to go to Iowa, I wasn't even thinking about playing football in college. When I started having a little bit of success in football and colleges started talking to me, I was listening to what the coaches were saying about how I had a future in football."

College programs in the Big Ten and SEC have made overtures to the 6-foot-7, 215-pound Wagner about playing football for their programs, but he has not had those discussions with Iowa.

"The football coaches have not contacted me and the basketball coaches have not mentioned it," Wagner said.

Wagner made his commitment to Iowa basketball in August and continues to keep in close contact with that staff.

"They call me all the time and always ask how the team is doing," Wagner said. "They ask about family and how I am doing in school. They are keeping me up to date with what is going on with the program and keep telling me they can't wait for me to get up there and become a Hawkeye."

The college football programs that started recruiting Wagner after he broke out earlier this season - his first on varsity - continue to pursue the wide receiver as well.

"I've talked to Ohio State and I've talked to Kentucky," Wagner said. "The topic of signing (for basketball) never really came up. It was more building a relationship and getting to know the coaches. They've asked me to come to football games, but I have been real busy lately and haven't been able to."

Kentucky offered Wagner a scholarship in September and there was speculation he may attend the Wildcat's home game this past weekend, but he did not make the trip.

"They asked me to come to that game, I just wasn't able to make it," Wagner said. "I had my ACT that day."

Wagner has been part of a Huber Heights Wayne football team that is currently 9-0 on the season. The Ohio state finals are not played until December, which could create an interesting situation with his basketball season starting up shortly.

"If we go as far as we want to go with football, it will come pretty close to our first basketball game," Wagner said. "I think by the time I get finished with football, I'll be back in time for our basketball season."

Wagner, a three-star power forward prospect on the court, said he has been getting dribbling and shooting work done whenever he can fit it in with his football schedule.