After an offseason spent stockpiling guards, Rutgers basketball is focused on finding a skilled big man for the future.

One such player observed the Scarlet Knights’ opening practice last week, and how he got there is an interesting story.

Isaiah Cottrell, a 6-foot-8 power forward from Bishop Gorman High School in Summerlin. Nev., is rated four stars and ranked No. 60 in the Class of 2020 (No. 8 at his position) by 247Sports.com. This was his second official visit, coming a week after a stop at West Virginia.

His connection to Rutgers? Greg “Shoes” Vetrone.

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Although his post with the Scarlet Knights is director of player development, Vetrone was allowed to hit the road this summer in place of recruiting assistant Brandin Knight, who was sidelined by a torn Achilles tendon. A former UNLV assistant, Vetrone maintains relationships around Las Vegas, and that’s how he wound up in Bishop Gorman’s gym meeting Cottrell.

They hit it off, as did Cottrell and Rutgers head coach Steve Pikiell.

“I really like them and I was real comfortable around them,” Cottrell said by phone Wednesday. “When they came out to my practices we made a connection. I liked how they approached me; that’s why I took the time to check it out.”

Cottrell is a relative latecomer to the hardwood. He started playing at age 12 but didn’t get serious until 14.

“I’m a power forward but I can do pretty much everything,” Cottrell said. “I like to stretch the floor but I also can attack the basket.”

Scholarship offers are pouring in from everywhere, and he mentions Kansas, Florida and Washington as other potential visits.

During Cottrell's weekend at Rutgers, his host was redshirt freshman center and fellow West-Coaster Myles Johnson, who hails from California. They talked about the differences in playing style between the coasts — “the East is a meat grinder, a lot of banging down there,” Cottrell explained — and the elevated television exposure of playing in Eastern Standard Time.

“The whole country can see you play,” Cottrell said.

As a high school junior, Cottrell has plenty of time to decide on his college. He left New Jersey with a good impression.

“I had a lot of fun,” he said. “I liked what I saw.”

Staff writer Jerry Carino: jcarino@gannettnj.com.