High majors contacting Russo

Many East Coast players constantly transfer in order to align themselves with "their people" and prepare for the next level. It's not a common occurrence in the Midwest, however. But that's the route that former Bloomington Kennedy (MN) forward Cullen Russo has taken.

The 2015 JUCO recruit is perhaps the most traveled recent talent from Minnesota. After attending Bloomington Kennedy, he played at Quakerdale Prep in Iowa and then Southern Tech Prep in North Carolina. In college, Russo started at the College of Idaho before transferring to New Mexico Junior College.

Grades have been an issue in the past, but for the first time, his coaches think Cullen has started to turn the corner.

"He is working hard. He's practicing hard. He got a 2.9 GPA last semester, which is the best he's ever had. The last three weeks of the first semester, it really started to click for him. So those last three weeks, and now at the beginning of this semester he's really got it and is working hard. I don't if something switched in his head, but he's really starting to figure it out," New Mexico JC assistant Brian Lohrey told Gopher Illustrated.

Talent has never been an issue for Russo. He's averaging 11.1 points on 55.7% field goal shooting and grabbing 5.6 rebounds in 22.4 minutes per game for New Mexico JC.

"He's just now starting to play really well for us. At the beginning part of the year, he kind of started slow with what we were trying to do, but now he's really doing well for us," Lohrey said.

In high school, Miami and a handful of mid-majors extended offers at one point, despite the doubts that he wouldn't be an academic qualifier. Dozens more would have offered without the eligibility concerns. He took unofficial visits to Minnesota and Clemson as well. Two years later, the high-major interest continues.

"He has a lot of people trying to talk to him," Lohrey told GI a week ago. "Indiana called last week. Kansas State called yesterday. Houston texted me today. Baylor liked him early, but they kind of backed off. Minnesota came to see him. Iowa called me about him. I know there's a lot more, but that's it off the top of my head."

"Recently, I've been hearing from Fresno State, Minnesota, Indiana, Houston, FIU, Morehead State and several more," Russo added.

At 6'6 and athletic, Russo runs the floor well and thrives in transition. In many ways, he's a great system fit for Minnesota.

"I'm looking for a fast-paced, up-and-down, get the ball going system," he said. "It's not a big deal, but halfcourt really isn't my thing."

Russo has played both forward spots before, but likes playing as a four the most.

"I used to like playing small forward more than power forward, just because I didn't like being in the lane. But now, I like the four because a lot of the four men aren't as skilled as I am on the wing, so I cause mismatches from the perimeter when I play there."

Local recruiter Ben Johnson has been in touch with Russo about potentially becoming a Gopher. Johnson has visited Russo twice and will do so again soon.

"Ben's telling me to just going through the recruiting process, telling me to do the best that I can and that he'll come out and see me later this year."

Russo lives in Arizona now with his mom during the summer. So even without all of the new schools recently, Minnesota still wouldn't really be home.

"I didn't really pay attention to college sports much until I was in high school, so I wouldn't really say I grew up rooting for the Gophers, but I've watched them before. I have some friends back in Minnesota that I've kept in touch with but a lot of things have changed."

Russo's recruitment still has a long ways to go. The sophomore has yet to set up any visits or decide when he'd like to commit.