Good news is on its way for NIU men’s basketball coach Brian Hammel and his staff.

The Chicago Sun-Times reported on Friday that the Huskies have signed guard Thomas Cook of Hillcrest High School for next season.

The signing will not become official until Hammel and the NIU athletic department receive Cook’s national letter of intent.

The successful recruiting of Cook caps off a year in which the Huskies attracted top Illinois talent.

This year’s NIU squad will feature five freshmen and one junior college transfer (Randy Tucker from Joliet Junior College).

In addition, 1992 recruits Jamal Robinson and Haris Mujezinovic will be eligible to play next year.