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Life Center's Nysier Brooks commits to Cincinnati

06/30/2015, 4:30pm EDT
By Josh Verlin

Josh Verlin (@jmverlin)
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After visiting the University of Cincinnati over the weekend, Life Center (N.J.) forward Nysier Brooks and his AAU coach, James Johns, visited the campus of Xavier on Tuesday morning. But after leaving the campus of the other Cincinnati school, Brooks told his coach that he'd made up his mind: he wanted to go to Cinci and become a Bearcat.

So he dialed up head coach Mick Cronin and committed.

"He felt comfortable with the coaching staff, they built a great relationship, they did a great job recruiting them," Johns said. "It was a perfect style of play for him, defensive-minded program."

A 6-foot-10 forward/center, Brooks' recruiting stock has steadily risen over the last two years, when he went from a scrawny young post to an imposing 235-pound defensive presence.

By the time he committed to the Bearcats, he'd reeled in offers from Virginia Tech, South Carolina, Georgetown, Miami, St. John's and more.

Recently he'd taken visits to Seton Hall, St. John's and Georgetown, and had another one to Miami in the works.

But despite the July live periods being only eight days away, with a chance to get out there in front of a few hundred college coaches, Brooks was done with the recruiting scene.

"He's a little tired of the recruiting process, and he felt like he is who he is, he's not going to get Duke in July," Johns said. "He felt like Cincinnati was the best fit for him, and he didn't want to play the recruiting game."

This summer, on the Under Armour circuit with his WE R1 AAU team, Brooks is averaging 3.8 ppg and a team-high 5.1 rpg. A muscular forward with long arms, Brooks is still developing an offensive game but makes his mark as a high-energy big who will run the floor, guard the rim and create extra possessions for his team.

Brooks is the first commitment for head coach Mick Cronin and staff in the Class of 2016. With four scholarship seniors on the roster set to graduate and two open scholarships already, the Bearcats have as many as five more slots left in the class.

With forwards Octavius Ellis and Coreontae DeBerry among those entering their final year of eligibility, there will be minutes available in the Bearcats' front line. 

"He'll have a chance to come in and play right away," Johns said, but the staff hasn't given them any expectations besides "just to come in, work hard and be prepared to play."

Last season, Cincinnati went 23-11 (13-5 AAC), earning a No. 8 seed in the NCAA tournament before losing in the Round of 32 to No. 1 seed and eventual Final Four participant Kentucky.

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Photo: Josh Verlin/City of Basketball Love

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