Young’s Amos commits to NIU
When Rashon Burno took over the Northern Illinois basketball program last spring, he made it clear he intended to have a presence in the Chicago area.
One way or another, whether it was a bounce-back transfer, a junior-college prospect coming home or a local high school player, the Huskies’ roster was bound to have a local feel and one with some name recognition.
The first big-name local recruit he landed was Bloom’s Keshawn Williams, who announced he was transferring from Tulsa to NIU in March.
Now Burno has landed a high-profile local prospect out of high school, as Young forward Xavier Amos committed to NIU on Monday. Amos is among the City/Suburban Hoops Report’s top 10 prospects in the state in the Class of 2022.
‘‘I am excited to be part of something new and fresh, to be part of building something special at NIU,’’ Amos said. ‘‘This is a great opportunity to get me to the point where I want to be in my career.’’
Amos said the growing relationship he had with Burno and the rest of the coaching staff at NIU — including assistant coach Steve Christiansen, who was front and center in his recruitment — set the right path for him.
‘‘I have spent a lot of time with the coaching staff — coach Burno, coach Christiansen
— and on the phone with them, sitting down in our in-home visit, and really got to know them well,’’ Amos said. ‘‘We’ve had a great few months getting to know each other. They are great people.’’
Amos was recruited heavily by mid-major programs, including those in the Mid-American and Missouri Valley conferences. UNCWilmington and Cal State-Fullerton offered Amos a scholarship during the summer. Amos is the highest-ranked recruit the Huskies have landed out of Illinois since Abdel Nader of Niles North in 2011. Amos brings instant recognition of the NIU name to the Chicago Public League and the Chicago-area basketball scene.
Amos had a breakthrough junior season with the Dolphins, becoming a productive and consistent force. He was a major factor during the course of Young’s abbreviated season, then put together an impressive performance this summer at the Riverside Brookfield Shootout, where he earned several scholarship offers, including one from Loyola.
‘‘A lot of it was just confidence,’’ Amos said of his growth as a player during the last nine months. ‘‘I felt like I was getting better every game this summer at the Riverside Brookfield and Ridge wood[ shoot outs ]. Then it continued while playing with Team Rose over the summer. It all carried over from this past season.’’
A player with size (6-8), mobility and the versatility to play multiple frontcourt positions, Amos can score in multiple ways. He has range that extends to the three-point line and is capable of putting the ball on the floor and scoring around the basket. He also has considerable upside and a bundle of talent to work with as he continues to develop.