Jordan and Garcia choose Central Florida

Young's Marcus Jordan and Evanston's Nik Garcia both gave oral commitments to Central Florida on Monday.

“They were interested in both of us," Garcia said. "We’re really good friends. It was the right fit at the right time. This makes it all better.”

Jordan and Garcia both played club basketball for the Rising Stars. The friends visited Central Florida on March 27 and 28.

Former Young guard AJ Rompza played for the Knights last season and was named to the Conference USA All-Freshman team.

“I think we can be real good," Garcia said. "They have other good recruits coming and they have AJ already. It’s a program that is a sleeping giant, really. A lot of people don’t know about them, but soon a lot of people will.”

Jordan led Young to the Class 4A state championship last month. He averaged 10 points, 4.5 rebounds and 3.6 assists a game this season.

Garcia played well for the Wildkits in the season's final two months. He had to sit out the first half of the season after transferring from Niles West.

He hasn't qualified yet, but is optomistic about his chances.

“I’m taking all the necessary steps," Garcia said. "It looks good. I just took the ACT on Saturday.”
 
Garcia chose Central Florida over Nebraska, Providence and Rhode Island, while Jordan had received offers from Stanford and Iowa.

“I’m telling you that place has got to be the world’s best-kept secret," Garcia's mother Oli said. "It’s a beautiful campus."