Kyle Rowley could have stepped in and become Indiana’s next D.J. White or Georgetown’s next Roy Hibbert or been the future replacement to Ohio State’s Kosta Koufos.
The Hoosiers, Hoyas and Buckeyes were all interested in the 7-foot, 285-pound center from Lake Forest Academy.
Instead, Rowley rejected them all. He decided to go with the unlikely choice and committed to Northwestern on Monday.
Rowley, who was reclassified into the Class of 2008 in April, will give the Wildcats their first true low-post threat since Evan Eschmeyer in the late 1990s.
"You get a 7-footer who is skilled, and it’s a real steal for Northwestern," said Full Package coach Steve Pratt, who coached Rowley in AAU.
"He brings an immediate inside force. He can shoot the perimeter shot, which for their offense is key. He brings an inside presence that they haven’t had, which will be invaluable. It’s a great opportunity for them and Kyle."
It was the sort of opportunity that Rowley and his parents were hoping when he moved from his home in Trinidad to Lake Forest two years ago.
"My parents are really satisfied academically and with basketball," Rowley said.
Rowley does realize Georgetown, Indiana and Ohio State had better records last basketball season, but it wasn’t about the past when he made his decision.
"It was about what is going to happen in the future," he said. "They have a great class coming in and they have great guys right now. It was what the future had to offer with Northwestern, and it looks bright. Maybe Northwestern can go for an NCAA run in a year or two."
Rowley joined Batavia’s Nick Fruendt and Glenbard West’s John Shurna in Northwestern’s recruiting class.
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