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On Wednesday morning, 6-foot-9 Canadian forward Kalif Young announced that he will play college basketball at Providence in the fall. Heading into that announcement, Marquette was the other finalist that the three-star recruit was considering.

That decision marked the second time this month a power forward who had visited Marquette this spring decided to go elsewhere. L.G. Gill, a graduate transfer from Duquesne, took a trip to Marquette at the end of April before visiting and committing to Maryland.

With Young choosing the Friars, the Golden Eagles will close the national letter of intent signing period — which ends Wednesday — with an open roster spot. Players can join programs after the close of the signing period, but without the mutual protections that the national letter of intent offers student-athletes and athletic programs.

But Marquette has lots of options. It can still add an incoming freshman for the 2016-'17 season, though the pool of players is limited this late in the process. It also could add a junior college player or graduate transfer. The Golden Eagles could also stand pat and use that extra spot on a midseason transfer or a player for the 2017 recruiting class.

Head coach Steve Wojciechowski, who just returned from Big East meetings in Ponte Verde Beach, Fla., told the Journal Sentinel that recruiting is a constant activity and he and his staff are always assessing potential additions. That open scholarship isn't burning a hole in his pocket, though.

"I'm happy to roll with the guys we have," Wojciechowski said.

The interest in Gill and Young had to do with adding depth to the frontcourt, which includes only 6-foot-11 Luke Fischer, a rising senior, and 6-foot-10 center Matt Heldt. Fischer was the second-leading scorer last season with 12.1 points per game. Heldt appeared in 20 contests as a freshman before suffering a sprained left knee. He averaged 0.7 points and 0.9 rebounds in just over five minutes per game.

Both are listed as centers on the roster, which would point to the Golden Eagles predominantly employing a four-guard, one-center lineup next season since no one else on the roster stands taller than 6 foot 6. Wojciechowski said that will certainly be part of how Marquette plays, but not the only scheme.

"I'm not saying we can't play them together," he said of using Fischer and Heldt on the court at the same time, adding that versatility will play a key role for next year's squad.

Marquette's open roster spot comes after a season in which there were no seniors but two departures. Both were from the same family. Henry Ellenson opted to declare for the NBA draft after a stellar freshman season and on April 21, and Marquette announced that Wally Ellenson, a junior with one year of eligibility remaining, will not return to the team for the 2016-'17 season. The four-time All-American high jumper has the option to stay at the school to compete in indoor track next year on a full scholarship.

Even if Marquette does not fill its basketball scholarship for next season, Wally Ellenson's status with the team won't change. Marquette has declined to comment on the situation surrounding Wally Ellenson's departure from the team outside of its news release. The Ellenson family has not responded to requests for comment from the Journal Sentinel.