DES MOINES, Iowa — Between bouncing balls and echoing screams, there was something to behold. One of the top basketball teams in the land, returned to its roots.

“Yeah, I did stuff like this at the boys and girls club,” said Iowa State senior guard Curtis Jones.

“I just remember the people I looked up to and the role models I had at the time,” said Cyclone newcomer Nate Heise.

The parents probably knew them — the kids probably didn’t.

“It’s probably one of my favorite days of the year,” said senior Conrad Hawley. “I know it is for a lot of our guys, too. Some of our guys grew up doing camps like this.”

It was one of those rare occasions when looking up to someone meant just that and more.

“I hope Iowa State fans realize that we’re trying to do NIL and it’s kind of an interesting time in college athletics,” explained Brent Blum, who runs the We Will Collective at Iowa State, “but we’re still trying to stay true to Iowa State and that’s doing things for the good of this area.”

And the area is only too happy to oblige.

“When we get to break down barriers in our community,” said Ben Page, Des Moines Parks and Recreation director, “we get to see kids that may never get to meet a Division-One athlete, and have it happen in their hometown, that’s really special.”

From the look of things, it was a two-way street.

“You’re saying it might be just as good for the players? It might be better,” said Hawley.

They’re college stars at Hilton, but just really big kids in here.

“I’m just tired from running around!” laughed Jones. “These girls were chasing me!”

What was gained tonight could be repaid down the road.

After all, this is quality time with impressionable minds.

“Hopefully (we’ll turn these kids into Cyclone fans),” laughed senior guard Keison Gilbert. “I see somebody with some Iowa gear on — we gotta switch that around. I don’t really like that.”