That is especially true for Jimmy Nichols, a 6’7 forward out of South Carolina who committed to Providence on Tuesday evening.
After averaging 15 points and 10 rebounds during his junior year, Nichols was named all state in South Carolina, yet the big time offers had yet to come.
In fact, by late April his lone scholarship offer was from Longwood University. According to a Myrtle Beach Online article from this spring, Nichols was primarily an interior scorer last season — one who had just begun to flash his midrange and outside shot at the high school level.