If you’re familiar with recruiting big men, you probably understand that college coaches — really, all coaches in general — tend to be patient with the big fellas. These players are synonymous with the term “late bloomer” and tend to reward those that are patient with the process.

Just ask 2024 Medford (OR) Cascade Christian big man Austin Maurer. After a successful travel season that saw him produce with the Oakland Soldiers, the 7-foot big man is beginning to reap the benefits in his recruitment.                                   

Oregon State head coach Wayne Tinkle extended a scholarship offer over the weekend to the skilled big man, making it his first high-major offer to be presented. Wyoming also reached out with an offer a few weeks ago. Those schools joined Portland and Sacramento State with scholarship offers on the table.

“Stanford, Boise State, St. Mary’s, Washington State, Pepperdine, Idaho State, and Eastern Washington are showing interest,” Maurer said back in the summer.

Maurer, fully capable of playing inside and out, was an intriguing prospect for the Soldiers this summer. At 7-feet tall, the junior is unique with his mobility, skill-set, and shooting ability. He’s comfortable stretching the floor and shooting the basketball out to the three-point line, but the most impressive aspect of his game may be his high-low passing ability. Maurer has proven time and time again that he’s more than willing to get his fellow big men involved with scoring opportunities. 

While Oregon State is the first high-major program to enter the picture for Maurer, I don’t think they will be the last. In fact, I can see him being a priority prospect for a variety of West Coast programs by this time next year.