Sept. 9 is a big day for top in-state basketball talent. That’s when Division I college basketball coaches start an in-person evaluation period. 

So, starting Thursday, the state’s best 2023 prospect, Bellevue West’s Josiah Dotzler, is going to have plenty of visitors at open gyms. 

“I know that Iowa State will be in to see me,” the 6-foot-3, 175-pound guard said. “We have talked to Creighton and some other schools like Colorado State are interested in coming to watch me work out later this month.”

Since the end of July — the end of the AAU season — plenty of Division I schools have reached out to Dotzler. 

“Baylor, Iowa State, Creighton, Marquette, Colorado State and Northern Iowa have been the real big ones that have been talking to me.”

Liberty was the first school to offer a scholarship in July. The Flames have found success in Nebraska in recent years. Former Kearney High star Shiloh Robinson is now a junior at the private school in Lynchburg, Va. 

Drake offered Dotzler in late July. It’s not just the close location (Des Moines) that is intriguing to Dotzler. The long standing relationship with Bulldogs head coach Darian DeVries, a former Creighton assistant coach, is one that has lasted years. 

“He’s an amazing guy, a great dude and a great coach,” Dotzler said. “I love the relationship we are developing with them right now. They stay in contact with me a lot. Especially with the connection with my family in the past and now, it is really nice.”

Former Bellevue West and Creighton star, Josh, Dotzler’s older brother, played for DeVries at CU. 

Besides Iowa State, Colorado State and Drake, South Dakota State, Omaha and Oral Roberts are three more that are planning visits to Bellevue in the coming weeks to watch workouts. 

Of course following his brother at CU and playing for the hometown Bluejays was always the top priority, but he understands that might not be a reality. 

“I feel like for me it used to be like that. Creighton is a great school and I love what they are doing with the program,” he said. “I used to think they were my top priority and I wanted to go there for sure but the more I think about it I am willing and open to trying new things and new places.” 

Dotzler’s teammate, senior forward William Kyle, received an offer from Omaha last week and is expecting visitors from Omaha, South Dakota State and Drake on Thursday and Friday. Kyle has planned an official visit to Air Force later this month (Sept. 23-25). He officially visited Fort Wayne in early August. The Mastodons are planning to make a visit to Bellevue in the coming days. 

Green Narrowing List

Millard North senior Jasen Green officially visited Colorado over the weekend. The Buffaloes will be in to see Green on Thursday afternoon and have an in-home visit with Green and his family. 

Green will officially visit Creighton Friday and Saturday (Sept. 10-11) and has narrowed his list to four schools: Colorado, Creighton, Iowa State and Nebraska. 

Garnering Attention in Lincoln

Lincoln Pius X seniors Sam and Jack Hastreiter both visited North Dakota State last weekend. The Bison will have staff in Lincoln to visit with the brothers on Thursday morning. South Dakota State will be in to see them workout Thursday afternoon, and Omaha is scheduled to make the trip to Lincoln on Friday. 

Omaha will stop by Lincoln Southwest on Saturday morning for the Silver Hawks open gym to see freshman guard Chuck Love and junior guard Rylan Smith. 

Lincoln Northeast junior Porter Bazil will have Omaha in to see him workout Friday morning with South Dakota State planning on coming soon. 

Omaha is also planning a visit to Omaha Westside to see senior guard Chandler Meeks and junior wing Tate Odvody.

Creighton Prep senior forward Luke Jungers will officially visit Omaha Thursday through Saturday (Sept. 9-11).

Omaha will also be at Millard South’s open gym on Sunday night to see junior forward Maal Jal, junior guard Trey Moseman and sophomore forward Will Cooper.

Elkhorn North guard Britt Prince.

Girls Hoops

Elkhorn North sophomore Britt Prince has received offers from numerous Division I programs. Creighton, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa State, Iowa, Kansas, Oklahoma, Oklahoma State, Oregon, Marquette, Michigan, Minnesota, North Carolina State and Penn State are just the start of the list.  

Nebraska’s Amy Williams is planning on attending Prince’s cross country race Thursday, and Michigan will also make a visit to Elkhorn soon. Plenty of others are hoping to make a visit to see Prince but no official dates have been set. 

Omaha will be at Millard South Thursday to see juniors Cora Olsen and Mya Babbitt. Kansas State will also be in to see Babbitt on Friday.

Saturday, Kansas State will be in Bridgeport to see junior Ruthie and her sophomore sister Olivia Loomis-Goltl followed by a Tuesday visit from Oklahoma State.

Omaha Central guard Inia Jones is scheduled to have a Omaha visit Central on Thursday.