Interest mutual between Madison's Junior Lomomba, Iowa coaches

IOWA CITY - Junior Lomomba has plenty of suitors, but it's almost puzzling that his hometown school has shown no interest in recruiting him.

Lomomba, a 6-foot-4 junior and 2012 recruit from Madison (Wis.) Memorial High School has offers from several major basketball programs including West Virginia, Minnesota, Cincinnati, Baylor and interest from Iowa. But Wisconsin has backed off the combo guard, something that baffles him.

"To be honest, they haven't showed any interest in me or my game," said Lomomba at the Spring Fling AAU Tournament at the University of Iowa Field House. "They haven't offered, so I guess it's on to the next one."

Making the connection even more strange is that Lomomba's uncle, Henssy Auriantal, played for the Badgers in the late 1990s. Auriantal helps with Lomomba's Wisconsin Force squad, which advanced to the Spring Fling's 17-and-under title game Sunday.

Lomomba planned to tour Iowa's campus after the tournament, but the title game was brought to an abrupt halt after an official left the court with 3:07 left in the first half. The Force instead left for home. He hopes to visit the school sometime soon.

"I actually came down (to Iowa) two years," Lomomba said. "But then after that the coaching staff got fired, so it's a whole new coaching staff. I think they kept in contact with my uncle, but I haven't heard from them personally to be honest."

Lomomba led Madison Memorial to the Wisconsin Division I state title and was named first team all-state by the Wisconsin Basketball Coaches Association. He averaged 17 points and 6.1 rebounds a game. Along with the Wisconsin Force, Lomomba plays for The Family, a famed Detroit Nike team that plays in the Elite Youth Basketball League.

Lomomba can play multiple positions but prefers the point. He can drive with either hand, plays hard and with his speed, height and length can create mismatches.

"I can play the one," Lomomba said. "If I'm guarding against a little guard, I can go down low and make something happen. I like to get my teammates involved as well and have the ball in my hands. That's something that I've worked a lot on the past few years with my shooting and my shooting skills, off the dribble, catch and shoot. ..."

His dedication is what endears him to Wisconsin Force Coach Craig Everson, who said Lomomba works up to five hours a day on his game.

"He's the hard-working kid I've ever seen," Everson said.

Lomomba said he needs to work on multiple parts of his game the next year before he transitions into college basketball.

"Shooting the ball and just being a leader and handling the ball and having control of the game," he said. "I'm just trying to play as much basketball as I can and get better."