Top prospect joins 2016 class.

Marquette picked up a commitment Sunday from Findlay Prep (Nev.) guard Markus Howard, a consensus four-star recruit who will graduate high school early and join the Golden Eagles as part of the 2016 recruiting class.

Howard made his announcement in a YouTube video produced by his brother, Jordan, who plays at Central Arkansas.

In the video, Howard discussed his love of basketball, which took hold of him while he was still in diapers watching his brothers play. He also outlined his difficult decision, touching on the strong cases for attending the four schools he was considering — Baylor, Arizona State, Marquette and Central Arkansas.

Ultimately, he announced his college decision by swishing a three-pointer alone at night on an outdoor court, turning and unzipping his jacket to show the MU logo underneath.

“I’ve dreamed of playing basketball for a high-major program for as long as I can remember,” he said in the video. “I choose to play my basketball career at Marquette University. Come fly with me.”

Howard, a 5-foot-11 guard, had a standout junior season in his one campaign at Findlay Prep this year. He averaged about 20 points per game while shooting over 50% from three-point range.

Before transferring to Findlay Prep from Perry High School in Gilbert, Ariz., Howard competed on the United States junior Olympics national team, winning a gold medal in Argentina during the summer of 2015.

While most recruiting analysts haven't adjusted their rankings based on Howard’s announced reclassification to 2016, he was widely considered a top-40 recruit for the class of 2017.

With Howard in the fold, which can become official as soon as April 13 when the spring signing period opens, Marquette will have all 13 of its scholarship positions filled. However, a spot could open up if freshman forward Henry Ellenson decides to sign an agent and declare for the NBA draft.

Marquette wasn’t on Howard’s radar until late May when assistant coach Stan Johnson joined the Golden Eagles staff. While at Arizona State, Johnson had recruited Howard and secured his commitment to join the Sun Devils, but when Arizona State made a coaching change Howard decided to rescind his commitment and reopen his recruitment.

Shortly after arriving in Milwaukee, Johnson introduced Howard and his family to Marquette head coach Steve Wojciechowski and a scholarship offer came quickly.

Howard made an unofficial visit to Marquette over the summer while the team prepared for its trip to Italy and was on hand for the National Marquette Day game against Villanova this season for his official visit.

“(Johnson) really gets me as a player and as a person,” Howard told the Journal Sentinel in July. “We just had a really close connection ever since he recruited me at Arizona State. That connection has grown over the years and he’s like family to me. . . . Just the way he understands me, that’s why our relationship is so strong.”