Abu Kigab

Abu Kigab

(Courtesy of North Pole Hoops)

Since Oregon Ducks men's basketball coach Dana Altman was hired in 2010, the profile of the program has been steadily growing on the recruiting trail, and that is especially true with Canadian prospects.

From Devoe Joseph and Olu Ashaolu to the current nucleus of Dylan Ennis, Dillon Brooks and Chris Boucher, Oregon has clearly developed in-roads to its neighbor to the North.

That trend continued Friday afternoon, as consensus four-star small forward Abu Kigab committed to Oregon over fellow finalist Illinois, as well as offers from Baylor, Cal, Kansas, Minnesota, USC and Virginia Tech.

The 6-foot-7, 195-pound wing, out of Prolific Prep Academy (Napa, California), starred for Canada's U18 squad, contributing 17 points and 10 rebounds in a 99-84 championship loss to Team USA.

"I just felt like it was a great situation for a player, such as myself. I felt really comfortable with the coaches and the environment they set and the tone," Kigab said. "It's a really competitive place and the coaches won't try to change you. It's a great place."

One of the underlying factors, for Kigab, was the opportunity to re-connect with former Team Canada teammate Dillon Brooks.

If he doesn't head to the NBA after this season, that is.

"I've gotten to know Dillon (Brooks) really well. He's like an older brother to me, that's how I look at him," Kigab said. "We have a really good relationship. Whenever I'm having trouble, on or off the court, he helps me out. He always takes care of me, and I really appreciate him for that."

With his pledge secured, Kigab has already begun working on adding Team Canada teammates and four-star prospects Lindell Wigginton and O'Shae Brissett to the roster in Eugene.

"I work really hard to get them. I bug them on Snapchat, Twitter and Instagram all the time," he said. "I'm going to do my best to get them to Oregon."

Kigab is the second commitment in the class of 2017, joining top-100 national prospect and four-star shooting guard V.J. Bailey.

There's still several months before Kigab can make an impact in Eugene, but he's anxious to get started.

"Coach Altman didn't make me any promises, and I didn't expect him to," he said. "He told me that I've got to come in, work hard and earn everything I get. So, when I get there that's what I'm going to do. I like it that way. I've got to prove myself. I like that he said that to me. It motivated me and I appreciated him saying that to me."

-- Andrew Nemec

anemec@oregonian.com

@AndrewNemec