By Joe Henricksen
Ben Brust, the high-scoring guard from Mundelein, is staying in the Big Ten after all. The 6-2 scorer committed to a Wisconsin program that has been — and remains — hot and heavy after Illinois prep prospects. Brust signed with Iowa last fall but was released following the departure of Iowa coach Todd Lickliter following this past season.
After going through what he did with Iowa, Brust was enamored with and felt good about the stability of coach Bo Ryan at Wisconsin and the security he would have playing under the veteran coach. In addition to the atmosphere, environment and the chance to play in the Big Ten, Brust will have an opportunity to provide minutes early on in his career. Wisconsin graduates guards Trevon Hughes and Jason Bohannon. There is especially a need for a player to fill the role of Bohannon off the ball and Brust can provide that.
While regarded as a terrific shooter, Brust is a better-than-you-think athlete and a true scorer. He has range, moves well without the ball and, as it can be said so many times with Wisconsin recruits, fits what they do.
Brust became quite a commodity once he was released from his letter-of-intent at Iowa. High-major programs across the country inquired about Brust with dozens of offers flowing in from the mid-major level on up.
Wisconsin now has a pair of players from the Hoops Report’s Top 10 in the Class of 2010 heading to Madison. Deerfield’s Duje Dukan, the No. 5 ranked player, signed last fall. Now Brust, the No. 7 ranked player in the class, will join him. The Badgers also have a commitment from junior guard George Marshall of Brooks and are heavily involved with both Orr’s Mycheal Henry and Benet Academy big man Frank Kaminsky.
