As the ISU men’s basketball season draws closer to its end, fans must say goodbye to graduating seniors. For Jared Homan, the Cyclones’ last game may not be his last time playing basketball.

Homan, Iowa State’s all-time block leader, plans to play professional basketball either in the NBA or overseas.

“I’m going to try to play basketball as long as I can,” Homan said. “How I play the rest of the season and how I play in pre-draft camps will determine whether or not I’ll be able to play professionally.”

Throughout the season, Homan said, he has spoken with former ISU player Jackson Vroman at least once a week. Vroman graduated last year and plays for the NBA’s New Orleans Hornets.

“Jackson tells me to enjoy college while it lasts, because it’s definitely different from the NBA,” Homan said.

“He’s having a good time playing in the NBA, but he’s not too happy about being traded from one of the best teams [Phoenix Suns] to the worst [Hornets].”

ISU coach Wayne Morgan said he believes Homan has the physical and mental ability to play professionally.

“I do think there is a place for Jared professionally,” Morgan said. “He’s going to have to go the right place, but there is a spot for him.”

This season, Homan reached the career 1,000-point club, but said the block statistics fit his style more than scoring.

“I’m not a guy that’s known for scoring,” Homan said. “I’d rather be the guy that’s known for playing physical defense and blocking shots.

“They’re both personal records that I’ll probably enjoy more when I’m done playing, but right now I’d much rather have a NCAA berth next to my name.”

Homan has matured greatly, both as a role model and as a basketball player, during his four years, Morgan said.

“It took him a long time to understand the concept that he was a public figure,” Morgan said.

“Every time he walks into a McDonald’s or Hy-Vee, people notice him.”

In March 2003, Homan was charged with public intoxication, and he has had several other run-ins with police throughout his career.

“It took time for him to realize that any actions he took, he was responsible for,” Morgan said, “and that people were looking for him to exhibit a certain level of maturity due to his high-profile publicity and from the place he occupies at the university.”

Homan agrees that the spotlight took some time to get used to.

“When I was a freshman, I thought I was just any other kid on campus in the sense that when I walk into class, people aren’t going to know who I am,” Homan said. “As you get older, you know that you have everybody in the community watching you and that you have to try to be a role model and live a double standard.”

Homan’s career survived numerous arduous events that took place throughout the past four years, such as Larry Eustachy’s resignation and teammates’ transfers and troubles with grades and with the law.

But he stuck it out, matured and delivered, Morgan said.

“Jared Homan has been invaluable to this program and valuable to me and any of the success I’ve had,” Morgan said. “I’ve grown to love him, and it’s going to be very sad to see him playing his last game.

“He will be remembered as a young man that played tough, physical and tried as hard as he could.”