Potential is Brooks Barnhizer's top draw after official WKU visit

2021 Lafayette (In.) forward Brooks Barnhizer had an official visit to WKU for their annual Hilltopper Hysteria Event on October 17th. The 6-foot-6, 185-pound wing had just taken an official visit to Butler earlier in the week, and he also has offers from Ball State, Detroit, and Evansville on the table.

During his trip to the hill, Barnhizer said that he was able to have "a few conversations" with head coach Rick Stansbury, and it seems as though he came away very impressed with what Rick had to say about the program.

"(Our conversations) were great," Barnhizer said, "They were really eye-opening at the program's success and all of the potential the program has to take it even further."

With Barnhizer's interest in Butler, Stansbury emphasized WKU's ability to reach that same status as a mid-major power, going so far as to mention the ultimate example of that level of success: Gonzaga.

"(Stansbury) described (WKU's) tradition," Barnhizer said, "and how much that the program can soon relate to what Gonzaga has accomplished in recent years."

Not only does WKU make an appeal to Barnhizer on the court, but off it, as well. Barnhizer was able to meet with WKU Honors College President Craig Cobane and other academic staff to discuss his fit outside of athletics on the hill.

With official visits to Butler and WKU now in the rearview, Barnhizer says that he doesn't have any more visits planned "as of right now." The rising junior is focused on a season in which he says his team "should have a big year," and is coming off a sophomore season that saw him do a bit of everything.

In his first year after moving to Indiana from Alabama, Barnhizer averaged 16 points, nine rebounds, and four assists with nearly four combined blocks and steals a game. Now an upperclassman, Barnhizer is ready to get his second year in Lafayette underway, but he'll still be keeping an eye on the Hilltoppers this season.

"I loved every single part of my visit," Barnhizer said. "I'm excited to see the success that (WKU) is bound to have this year!"