College basketball coaches recruit with a wide net, but there’s always a big fish in mind.

On Friday, Rutgers reeled one in.

Montez Mathis, a four-star shooting guard from Maryland, pledged to the Scarlet Knights -- capping an all-out effort by Steve Pikiell and his staff to address a dire need. The 6-foot-4 Mathis, who is ranked as the No. 66 prospect in the Class of 2018 by Scout.com, has been Rutgers’ top recruiting priority since late 2016. His decision came down to RU and UConn, a tug-of-war that would have seemed one-sided even a year ago.

“They recruited me real hard,” Mathis said via phone of Pikiell and assistant coach Brandin Knight. “They contacted me every single day since they offered me back in December.”

He is the highest-ranked high-schooler to commit to the Scarlet Knights since Kadeem Jack (No. 33) pledged in September 2010. Known as a good shooter and intense defender, Mathis also caught Pikiell's eye with his aggressiveness on the glass.

“Rebounding helps a lot, because it’s something that gets you going on offense and defense," Mathis said. "If you rebound, that means you’re into the game as a whole.”

Now Rutgers has three players committed for 2018. Mathis joins Mamadou Doucoure, a four-star power forward from Our Savior New American (N.Y.), assuming Doucoure doesn’t arrive on campus sooner. Also on board is point guard Mac McClung, who announced his pledge Thursday.

The Scarlet Knights have one more open scholarship for 2018, although these things are fluid in college hoops.

Can Rutgers hoops land big-time guard? 3 things to know about Montez Mathis

Here are three things to know about the addition of Mathis, whose commitment will become iron clad during National Letter of Intent signing week in November:

1. How did Rutgers pull it off? Persistence. Knight forged a connection with Mathis first, having noticed him during his prior coaching stint at Pittsburgh. Pikiell, after identifying Mathis as someone open to the idea of getting in at the ground floor, devoted an enormous amount of time to courting him. And don't discount the Adidas connection to Mathis' AAU team, a tie that also exists with McClung.

2. Pikiell now has his backcourt of the future. Word is incoming freshman Geo Baker looked razor sharp during summer workouts. So sharp, in fact, that it would not be a surprise to see him start from day one. Like Baker, Mathis is another big guard (both are 6-4) with a versatile skill set and a whatever-it-takes attitude.

Baker actually handed out his first collegiate assist Friday: As the lone Scarlet Knight who knew Mathis well, he played a key role in the recruitment.

“Yeah, he recruited me real hard," Mathis said. "I see a bright future with both of us in the backcourt.”

3. This is a victory for perception. Pikiell answered a big question: Could he close the deal with a big fish in a pitched battle with a brand name? Check the box. Mathis’ decision will infuse some much-needed talent, but it also sends a signal to other coveted recruits that Piscataway is a viable destination.

“It’s just where I felt I could be most effective at,” Mathis said. “This is the first time I’ve been put into this type of (rebuilding) situation, so I’m ready for the challenge."

He added, with an air of confidence, “My role is to do what Montez Mathis does — bring a winning attitude to the program.”

Staff Writer Jerry Carino: jcarino@gannettnj.com.