Reitz grad Hansen commits to USI
Pat Hickey
pat.hickey@courierpress.com
Nate Hansen verbally committed Wednesday to the University of Southern Indiana men's basketball program, ending months-long speculation of whether he might join two of his former Reitz High teammates.
The Vincennes University sophomore averaged 15.7 points, 5.7 rebounds and 3.7 assists last season for the Trailblazers, who finished 32-3 and advanced to the NJCAA Division I Tournament quarterfinals. He shot 41.5 percent from behind the 3-point line.
Hansen, a 6-foot-4 shooting guard, will finish the last two seasons of his collegiate career alongside Alex Stein and Jacob Norman, who he played with on the 2014-15 Reitz team that finished runner-up in Indiana's Class 4A State Finals.
"That was a huge factor for me," Hansen said. "I'm not only playing with two great basketball players, I'm playing with two of my best friends. We have great chemistry together. I've watched them play the past two years and I just can't wait to join them and make this run for a national championship.
"The last time the three of us played together we came up short, so we want to redeem ourselves."
Hansen also had offers from Division I Eastern Illinois and Texas State and Division II Kentucky Wesleyan.
Hansen, VU again headed back to 'Hutch'
In addition to the familiarity of playing in his hometown and with former teammates, he said the persistence of USI assistant coaches Brent Owen and Kevin Gant in recruiting him also played a factor in his decision.
"They came to nearly every single one of my games this year," Hansen said. "Even if there was nobody in the gym, they were always here to let me know I was a priority. They wanted me more than any other school out there and if I know I'm wanted then I'm going to play my heart out for them."
Once Hansen signs, the Eagles will have 10 scholarship players on the roster for next season. There would be five seniors, four juniors and a freshman if no other players join.