There are noteworthy moments on the recruiting trail that help explain or highlight the development of the strength of a program. Obviously, five stars, one-and-dones and McDonald’s All-Americans build and write that narrative in bold. But to have a McDonald’s All-American point guard, from a basketball hotbed like Seattle, change his commitment from blue blood Kentucky to your program informs you that you’re building something special.
Nolan Hickman, the 6-foot-2 freshman that played at East Side Catholic High School did just that when he decided to commit to Gonzaga and become the point guard heir in waiting. Hickman had the upside of being a one-and-done player but chose a path that would challenge him with a roster of two upperclassmen guards, two highly touted returning sophomores and a fellow McDonald’s All-American.