AMES — When Iowa State has been in need of a spark this year, they have not had to look far thanks to the energetic presence of a veteran big and a young guard, both with something to prove.
Through the Cyclones’ successful start to the season, both new players and returners have flourished into impactful roles to get the team to their 8-2 record. A key part of their success has come from maintaining a dominant energy on the court, which has been present in throughout the team.
But two payers in particular, senior Robert Jones and sophomore Jackson Paveletzke, have each respectively kept the team on a newly developed high throughout each game. Although they have not seen much time on the court together, each of the duo’s separate time on the hardwood has made a much-needed impact.
The recent emergence of Paveletzke as a small guard off the bench who is not afraid to push the ball into the paint against much bigger defenders has given the Cyclones another efficient guy they can turn to when in need of a jumpstart.
“It’s been a huge boost for our team,” head coach T.J. Otzelberger said. “It’s something that we know [Paveletzke] can do so he is accountable to do it every single day. So he can continue to play great, our team can be elevated and we can be the best version of who we can be, and that is something he needs to keep his focus on.”
Being one of the newcomers to the team by way of the transfer portal, Paveletzke’s role as a spark off the bench has come at a progressive rate.
Through the first five contests of the season, Paveletzke had not seen more than seven minutes of action in a game. The Wisconsin native had not yet been given a real chance to translate his talents over from his Southern Conference Freshman of the Year bid last year at Wofford.
The former Terrier’s spirits remained intact, as he knew his hard work in practice and continued growth into Otzelberger’s system would earn him more playing time.
“The main thing was me stacking days in the practice facility and growing my confidence,” Paveletzke said.
His energetic presence got him noticed in practice, and he was given the opportunity against Virginia Tech in Orlando, Florida, to show off just how impactful his energy can be. He recorded his first game with double-digit minutes, and has increasingly seen more time ever since.
Although he has not been a high-volume scorer based on his raw numbers, that is not what he has been asked to do.
For the most part, fellow guards Tamin Lipsey and Keshon Gilbert have served as the primary backcourt scorers, and Paveletzke has been the Energizer bunny defensively and has provided quality spacing offensively.
“Guys come off the bench and you have to bring something different or something to enhance the group,” Otzelberger said. “What we’ve tried to do with [Paveletzke] is show him that when he has the energy, when he has the has the fight, when he has that spirit and that toughness, how it transcends our team and makes everyone better.”
Otzelberger noted that he and Paveletzke will sit down together, one-on-one, and watch film together to further instill his valued role.
Paveletzke embraces the role he carved out for himself, as it fits a mentality that he has played with throughout his career, going back to when he first started playing.
“I just do it to kind of get the team going and get myself going,” Paveletzke said. “I always play with a chip on my shoulder. I’m probably one of the smaller guys on the court, doesn’t look like I can do a lot, but just going out there and trying to prove everyone wrong.”
With a frame of 6-foot-2 and 185-pounds, Paveletzke said he has always been one of the smaller guys on the court. He sees the looks opposing players give him when he checks in and uses their doubts as fuel.
“There are guys that are going to be more athletic and stronger than me all the time so playing with that chip is all I needed,” Paveletzke said.
Part of Paveletzke’s underdog mentality and willingness to jump into his new role has stemmed from the leadership that he has seen from Jones, who has comfortably taken the reigns as a veteran leader who has been with Otzelberger since he arrived in 2021.
Although a much different body type compared to Paveletzke, Jones has served as a leader throughout the entire season. After being thrown into the starting lineup due to Hason Ward’s foot injury, Jones has kept the same energetic presence that he has developed during his time at Iowa State.
“[Jones] is one of those guys where he’s the same guy every day, there’s never going to be drops or highs and lows,” Paveletzke said. “He’s one of those guys that’s a senior leader, he’s always got great energy, he’s helping guys out. Kinda seeing him do that inspires me to be that guy off the bench.”
The fifth-year senior out of Minnesota has shown unexpected growth as a forceful attacker at the rim, and much like Paveletzke, is constantly talking to his teammates on the floor and flexing after big plays.
Jones’ leadership and growth have been a major point of emphasis from Otzelberger this season, who he described as constantly being the most physical interior player in any game. Outside of being a motivator for Paveletzke, Jone’s hard work and physicality serve as an inspiration throughout the entire roster.
“[Jones] brings everything, he is the heart and soul of our team,” forward Tre King said. “His work ethic, his toughness is something that is contagious and I think that as we have all been here for these past six months you can tell a lot of the guys have grown up and looked up to him. It really shows his influence.”
