April 19, 2000
EVANSTON, Ill. - Northwestern head men's basketball coach Kevin O'Neill announced today the signing of Casey Cortez (forward, 6-8, 212, Danville, Calif./Hargrave Military Institute/De La Salle High School) and Andrew Long (guard, 6-2, 180, Houston, Texas/Stratford) to National Letters of Intent to play basketball at Northwestern beginning in the fall of 2000.
Cortez played last season at Hargrave Military Institute, a prep school in Chatham, Va. He averaged 18.9 points, 9.2 rebounds and 6.0 assists per game. During his high school career in Danville, Calif., Cortez was named All-East Bay and All-Bay Area honorable mention. As a senior, he led De La Salle to a 30-1 record, the North Coast Sectional Championship, the state's Final Four, and a No. 2 state ranking. Cortez is a high honor roll student and received the President's Commodation at Hargrave. Ten players at Hargrave signed Division I Letters of Intent this season.
"Casey is a skilled big man with a year of prep experience," said O'Neill. "He will certainly add depth to our front line and give us a post man who can play inside and out."
Long averaged 14 points, five assists, two rebounds and two steals per game. He was his district's Most Valuable Player the past two seasons and was named All-Greater Houston third team by the Houston Chronicle in 1999-2000. Long was a four-year letterwinner at Stratford and led his team to a district championships the past three seasons and the regional semifinals in 2000.
"Drew is someone that is going to surprise a lot of people," said O'Neill. "He's a great shooter, moves his feet well and is totally dedicated to the game. I'm really excited about the four guys we've signed and feel we're moving in a positive direction with our basketball program."
Cortez and Long join USA Today All-American honorable mention honoree Jitim Young and Ed McCants, Division IV Player of the Year in Ohio, in the Wildcat 2000 recruiting class. The spring signing period lasts until May 15.