Cameron Lard started classes Monday, ending months of speculation as to whether the 4-star recruit would arrive in Ames.

And while he is one of the most decorated recruits Iowa State coach Steve Prohm has landed in his two years with the Cyclones, Prohm said the Louisiana native isn’t going to jump in to practices right away.

“I really just want to get him here and get him adjusted to college,” Prohm said. “People are talking about if he’s going to play, he’s not even going to practice right now. I want him to get some structure. That’s the thing I talked about today. He was up at 7:45 [a.m.], he had academic meetings, class, he’ll get his physical sometime this week, and then next week we’ll start integrating him into a strength and conditioning program.”

Many have speculated that Lard, a 6-foot-9 forward, would have an impact right away and see the court this season. With three games over the next seven days, and Lard’s lack of experience, though, Prohm said that isn’t likely the case.

“I just can’t see it right now,” Prohm said. “He hasn’t even had his physical… We’ve got two road games this week, and we’ve got Kansas then on that Monday, to where it just doesn’t seem realistic to me, so it’s not even something I’m thinking about.”

Lard will start working with the team this week, though, to get acclimated with his teammates. That process, though, isn’t likely to be a fast one.

“I don’t know what part of practice,” Prohm said. “He’s so far behind, it’s hard to just throw him right into 5-on-5. Some closeout drills, some shell drills to where he’s learning, then well do individual workouts and then we’ll slowly bring him along to get him into practice.

“But he was good. I think he and his mom are really just excited that he’s here.”