Iowa State basketball players Kenny Pratt, Kelvin Cato, and Shawn Bankhead are trying something new in the Center Court League. They’re all shooting a barrage of three-point baskets.

Considering Cato is a center, Bankhead is a defensive monster who only steps outside the three-point line to guard his opponent and Pratt has made himself a household name by grabbing rebounds and scoring in the paint, their new offensive skills are coming as a shock to many.

While the Center Court League is basically a pick-up style of league, Pratt and Cato seem to be taking their three-point shooting seriously.

“I’m practicing. I’m working on it. I’m getting better. I just keep shooting them,” said Bankhead.

Pratt, whose only memorable three-pointer last season came against Drake with time running out, is averaging six three-point attempts per game. “I’m just practicing. I just keep shooting them,” said Pratt.

When asked whether or not he would be shooting the three more this year than last, Pratt replied, “We’ll see. We’ll just have to see.”

While both Pratt and Bankhead are confident about their efforts to become three-point wizards, they are puzzled by Cato’s three-point efforts.

“I don’t know what he’s doing out there. He won’t be shooting out there,” Pratt said.

ISU forward Dedric Willoughby seemed equally puzzled with Cato’s efforts. “He needs to be in the paint. He doesn’t need to be shooting threes,” Willoughby said with a chuckle.

The absence of three-point threat Joe Modderman, who transferred last season, may call for a need for three-point shooting.

“We’ll keep working hard and getting ready to do what we do. When the season starts, we’ll be ready,” Pratt said. “All I can say is we’ll see if I do (shoot more three-pointers).”

ISU head basketball coach Tim Floyd is unimpressed with the efforts of Cato, Bankhead and Pratt.

“I’ll tell you what you do. Take all their attempts and then put a line to the side with their makes. They had better enjoy it now,” Floyd said. “We let players do what they prove they’re capable of doing. All they’re proving is they can’t make ’em.”