NCAA Basketball: 5 takeaways from Nolan Hickman committing to Gonzaga

One of the biggest offseason storylines in NCAA Basketball has been the Nolan Hickman saga, which has gone through several game-changing moments. He was committed to the University of Kentucky for the past several months until coaching staff changes literally “changed” everything.

The top-30 overall prospect decided to de-commit from the program after assistants Joel Justus and Tony Barbee left for different jobs. Afterward, he participated in the Iverson Classic, which was filled with a number of top-tier class of 2021 prospects. Hickman showed himself well in that event, making his future decision all the more important.

The 6’2 point guard limited his options to three – Auburn, Kansas, and Gonzaga. But a favorite soon emerged in the Bulldogs for Hickman, who played this past season at the Wasatch Academy in Utah but originally is from the Seattle area. “Homesickness” was a reason given out as to why the guard left Kentucky, and Gonzaga is a drive away from the Hickman family.

And in the end, the Bulldogs landed another top prospect in Hickman, joining five-star recruits, Chet Holmgren and Hunter Sallis, along with another top-50 prospect in forward Kaden Perry. The addition of Hickman gives Gonzaga the No. 4 overall recruiting class according to 247sports, the highest-ever in program history.

There’s so much to discuss about Hickman’s commitment, as more than just Gonzaga was affected by this move. Here’s a look at the impact for the Bulldogs, several other teams, and Hickman himself for the rest of the offseason and the 2021-22 season.