Northwestern basketball coach Chris Collins had enough open scholarships to sign three players in the early signing period that began Wednesday. But the Wildcats are adding only one, shooting guard Anthony Gaines, and Collins is satisfied.
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The 247Sports.com composite ranking has Gaines at a modest 146th nationally, but Collins believes he is underrated. The 6-foot-4, 200-pound native of upstate New York drew offers from Butler, Dayton, Cincinnati and George Mason.
Collins said he sought only “difference-makers” in this class, so that allowed him to be more “selective.”
He pursued Savion Flagg, the 67th-ranked player, but Flagg chose Texas A&M. Collins also vetted Evanston swingman Nojel Eastern, who most believe will sign with Michigan State or Ohio State.
“Earlier in the tenure, you might grab a little more; we did have a lot of spots to fill,” Collins said. “Now our roster is pretty stable.”
Freshman Rapolas Ivanauskas will essentially drop into the 2017 class after redshirting following shoulder surgery.
And Collins likes that he’s retaining two scholarships. That way, he can add a transfer — either an undergrad or graduate student.
“In recruiting now, it’s like you have three different markets,” Collins said. “You’re almost negligent if you don’t bank one or two (scholarships) to be in that game. There’s such a market for players in the spring.”
Twitter @TeddyGreenstein