5-star power forward Omaha Biliew names four finalists
Five-star prospect Omaha Biliew tells On3 he’s cut his list down to the following four options — Kansas, Iowa State, Oregon, and the G-League Ignite.
The 6-foot-8 power forward out of Branson (Mo.) Link Year Prep also received offers from Nebraska, Iowa, Oklahoma State, Texas Tech, Michigan, Arkansas, Tennessee, and others.
Biliew is ranked as the No. 10 prospect in the class of 2023, according to the On3 Consensus — a complete and equally weighted industry-generated average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies. Biliew is also ranked as the No. 4 power forward in the class.
The Waukee, Iowa native has made visits to Kansas and Iowa State and is working on a date for Oregon.
Biliew talks schools
Biliew discussed several of his options in a previous interview with On3’s Jamie Shaw.
Oregon: “It’s Oregon, they have a great facility, and it is beautiful over there. Coach Mike Mennenga has been recruiting me; he believed in me in the summer and has been recruiting me hard ever since. They told me, I am the type of player they go after hard, and they win with there.”
Kansas: “Kansas is staying in touch here and there.”
Iowa State: “They’re telling me they want me to be great, and why not be great in my home state? I know what it is over there with the facilities and the campus. It’s been all love, and I am building a relationship with the new staff over there. It’s going to go a long way.”
G-League: “I can’t say I haven’t thought about the G-League. It gets brought up here and there. I can’t take that opportunity away, obviously. I’ve not had conversations with them yet, but that is the level I want to get. I’d never turn those conversations away.
“I know with my name and personality; NIL stuff will be there. I have not really gotten into that with any of the schools recruiting me yet, but, I mean, it is going to be something with who I am. I just give thanks for those opportunities.”
In January, Biliew said in an interview with On3: “I’m just focused on college, and going to the D1 level.” While college is the priority, he says he will leave the door open to the pro route.
“I’m never going to cancel that option.”
What’s Biliew looking for in a program?
“When I go on these visits, I will look at how I fit into the campus lifestyle,” Biliew said to Shaw. “I am also going to look at how I will progress in each environment. Both on and off the floor, I want to take in as much as I can during my time there. Ultimately I want to be a pro, so I want to go somewhere that will develop me. But I also want to go to a school where I will grow off the court. My relationship with the staff will play a factor too. I have to trust someone who will hold me accountable to put in the work. I am trusting my future and my dreams with them, so we all have to be on the same page.”
Scouting Report
“Omaha Biliew is a physical presence. Naturally, he has a lengthy and strong frame filled with explosive pop. Biliew can be an active rebounder, both in and out of his area. Defensively, he can guard up and down a lineup. He can move his feet on the perimeter, and his length and strength allow him to switch up against forwards. Offensively is where his upside lies. Biliew does have touch, and he can put the ball on the floor for a dribble or two. He needs to carve out his identity and tighten up the overall skill set on that end. There is a lot of production in the tank, and Biliew has been a known commodity since middle school.” – On3’s Jamie Shaw, National recruiting analyst
Biliew also gave his own personal take on his game.
“My versatility on both ends of the floor is what I do best,” Biliew recently told On3’s Jamie Shaw. “On defense, I can guard one through five, playing defense on the perimeter or in the post. I am shooting the ball well this season. I can put the ball on the floor attack straight lines. I’m a complete two-way player. The way I rebound too, I can adjust to whatever other teams throw at me.”