Let it serve notice to the great young high school prospects located within driving distance of Chicago’s Big Ten team: Northwestern is seeking out local talent to anchor Chris Collins’ early recruiting efforts. This isn’t a surprise, or a revelatory tweak in recruiting strategy borne of a recent coaching switch. It’s just common sense. Northwestern needs to plant its stakes in the heart of the Chicago and larger Illinois talent pool, and Collins is already off and running.
In its own unique way, the geographical focus of their search for talent has become a major element of their recruiting pitch. Collins and his assistants are selling the opportunity to represent the local community by staying home and playing for the local Big Ten program. 2015 PF Evan Boudreaux understands the significance of playing college basketball in his own backyard, and after receiving a scholarship offer in May, the option of pursuing that local spotlight is officially open.





