Wedel To Drake

Mark Phelps is off and running at Drake. On Friday, the first-year head coach scored a significant transfer in perimeter ace Ryan Wedel.

When Mark Phelps got the Drake job last month he let it be known that 3-point shooting would be welcome in Des Moines. On Friday, a perimeter marksman heeded the message.

Ryan Wedel, a 5-foot-11 transfer out of Arkansas State who shot 40.2 percent as a sophomore, committed to the program. “I’ll fit right into to Coach Phelps and his style of play,” Wedel told Scout.com. “They like to shoot 3s and I’ll fit in nicely. The team as a whole can really shoot it also.”

Wedel averaged 15 points a game this past season and will retain two years of eligibility after sitting out the upcoming year. The Minneapolis, Kan., native was a fixture on the K.C. Pump ‘n Run traveling team in high school where he forged a reputation for drilling trifectas.

A former Mr. Basketball in Kansas, Wedel is responsible for making the most 3-pointers of any freshman in Arkansas State basketball history.

With a year to work on his game, Wedel knows what’s next. “I’m going to focus on off the dribble and being able to handle it much better and score off the dribble. I’d like to get bigger and stronger and help this team prepare each game.”

Less than a month on the job and Phelps has his first recruit locked up. His approach with Wedel was exactly what the transfer sought this time around. “He’s a very class guy. He’s going to run this program the right way and he comes from a great family tree. I really like him and the staff and what they have planned to do at Drake. I can’t wait to get up there.”