Why wait? That’s what kept running through Nick Norton’s mind after last weekend’s team camp hosted by Greg McDermott and the Creighton Bluejays basketball staff. The time seemed right for Norton, a 5’10” point guard at Rock Bridge High School in Columbia, Missouri, to take his first scholarship offer and commit to joining the Jays in 2014.
“The coaching staff was amazing,” Norton said when asked why he took the first offer he got. “The campus was great and so is the fan support. I just felt it was the right place for me.”
Nick Norton (#12) is Creighton's first commitment for the class of 2014 (Parker Eshelman/Columbia Daily Tribune)
And with that, McDermott’s staff learned of its third verbal commitment in three days. Norton will join upperclassmen Austin Chatman and Andre Yates in the Bluejays backcourt for the 2014-15 season. Like Chatman and Yates, Norton’s strength is his ability to lead a team up and down the court.
“I like to get out in transition. I like to get all my teammates involved,” he said. “I can shoot the ball a little bit, too.”
Norton has two years of high school left to improve. That includes countless practice time and game action with his AAU team, KC Run GMC. Creighton’s staff continues to recruit some of Norton’s AAU teammates heavily, including Ezra Talbert, Khadre Lane, and Tyrone Taylor.
“We’ve had a successful season so far, and we have three tournaments coming up in July,” Norton said. When asked if he’s talked with Talbert and the others about playing together in college, Norton said the topic will probably come up soon.
Norton becomes the first verbal commitment for McDermott’s 2014 class, choosing CU’s offer ahead of growing interest from the likes of Nebraska, Arkansas, Missouri State, San Francisco, and hometown Mizzou.