Before leaving for his home in Rockford, Minn., on Sunday, Nick Haugen knew where he wanted to play college basketball.
The 6-foot-2 guard gave UND a verbal commitment before his official recruiting visit had ended.
As a result, UND has landed its first recruit for the 2008-09 season, which will be the school's first in NCAA Division I men's basketball.
Haugen, a senior at Rockford High School, will sign a letter of intent during the NCAA early signing period that begins Nov. 14.
"It felt right when I was there," Haugen said. "The coaches are great people. The players are good guys to be around. I really wanted to be a part of that program."
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Haugen, who is Rockford High School's career scoring leader, averaged 16.8 points, 5 assists and 5 rebounds a game last season. His team lost to eventual Minnesota Class AA champion Holy Family in the subsection championship game.
Haugen is expected to play point guard or shooting guard in college. He said he anticipates being redshirted when he arrives at UND next season.
Last summer, Haugen played AAU basketball with the Minnesota Magic Elite Stars. His team participated in tournaments in Kentucky, Indianapolis, Orlando, Dallas and Kansas. Haugen said UND's recruiting interest in him picked up after the Kentucky tournament.
Haugen, who has started at Rockford since the eighth grade, said he considered Division I schools Denver and Wofford College, located in Spartanburg, S.C., as well as Division II power Winona State.
"It's definitely a relief," Haugen said of his choice. "It definitely feels good."
