Brooks Barnhizer’s close relationship with Northwestern head coach Chris Collins was no clearer than when the senior guard was injured in February. In a press conference, an emotional Collins informed reporters Barnhizer would miss the remainder of the season, marking the end of his Wildcat basketball career.
As much as Collins feels his players’ pain, he feels their triumphs a thousandfold.
“It was funny, I think Coach was the second phone call after [Oklahoma City general manager Sam] Mr. Presti,” Barnhizer said, on a Zoom Northwestern and Chicago-area media. “[Collins] was tearing up and yelling ‘You’re the first!’… It was a really special moment between us.”
Selected by Oklahoma City with the 44th overall pick in the second round, Barnhizer is the first Northwestern Wildcat to be selected since Evan Eschmeyer in 1999. Barnhizer is the first to be drafted under Collins since he took over the program in 2013.
It was an incredible end to a tumultuous year: Barnhizer went from a college career-ending foot injury to being drafted by the reigning NBA champions. Even while injured, the focus was on getting him to the Draft.
“When I ended up having to shut [my season] down and get surgery, the cool conversations I got to have with the coaches was that they wanted me to be the first [draft pick since 1999] and show you can make it [to the NBA] from Northwestern,” Barnhizer said.
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Collins’ feelings toward his former player are clear, but the coach holds a special place in the athlete’s heart as well. As a prospect, Northwestern was Barnhizer’s only Big Ten offer.
“They really saw something in me and gave me the platform to develop,” Barnhizer said. “I really want other kids and other recruits to see that you can go to Northwestern, and Coach Collins and his staff will really get you to where you can be.”