Like father, like son.

ISU basketball has been a tradition in Clint Varley’s family. His father, Evan, started 13 games as a guard on the 1976 basketball team, and his mother was on the pom squad.

The similarities don’t stop there.

Clint and Evan both got their big breaks during their junior year, but it almost didn’t happen.

Clint, who walked on to the team as a freshman in 1999, wasn’t planning to try out for the team, Evan said.

“I told him you just as well give it a shot and see if it worked out,” he said. “If it didn’t, then he wasn’t out anything.”

Clint listened to his father’s advice and still remembers the 6 a.m. tryout.

About 25 guys showed up for the 90-minute practice, which included lots of running, Clint said.

He learned later that morning that he was one of five players selected for the team. By 10 a.m., it was back to the hardwood for a four-hour practice with the team.

“It was one of the toughest days of practice I’ve ever went through, but I’m glad I did it,” Clint said. “I’ll never forget that day.”

After two years of limited action, Varley is starting to make his mark as a junior. He started his first career game against Texas Tech and has since seen his minutes increase.

Against Missouri, he scored three points and grabbed six rebounds in just 17 minutes.

The Menlo native has looked into his past to help him these days. As a senior at Greenfield High School, he averaged 24 points and 9.3 rebounds per game. He was their number-one option and he said he often saw double – and triple-teams.

He believes those experiences helped him hone his passing skills.

Today, he’s used to giving up the ball to Tyray Pearson, Jake Sullivan or Shane Power, but passing is just one of the things Clint brings to the table for the Cyclones. His screens also help other players get some of their good looks at the basket.

“I know my role and I think that’s why I can help this team out,” Clint said. “I’m just trying to make the team flow better.”

ISU assistant coach Randy Brown said Clint’s work ethic has gotten him where he is today.

“He’s paid his dues many times over,” he said. “He’s never complained a bit, just got in there and worked hard and done whatever we’ve asked him.”

Brown said that 6-foot-4 Clint often has to guard much taller players, but he makes up for his height with his physical play and the energy he brings to the floor.

With three games remaining in the regular season, Clint said he thinks that the schedule might be turning in the Cyclones’ favor – at least for a couple games. They still have a road game at No. 4 Oklahoma, but he said last week’s home stand was a great opportunity to get back on track and finish the season strong.

Even with all the limelight of the Big 12, Clint doesn’t mind going up against his father once in a while. When he makes it back to their farm, they often engage in a friendly game of one-on-one.

But there’s always the trash talk.

“He always kids me that he has two Big 12 championship rings and I tell him that I’ve still started more games than he has,” Evan said.

Clint already has two letters at Iowa State, while his father earned just one. Evan did not play his senior season at Iowa State after coming down with a case of mononucleosis. Clint said that gives him the edge.

“I’ve got one up on him, that’s for sure,” he said.