Olentangy (Ohio) Liberty forward Tyler Kropp was the second player to commit to Northwestern's Class of 2025, but it turned out to be a connection long in the making. The second slide of Kropp's X post announcing his commitment showed him as a kid posing with a mannequin in a Northwestern basketball uniform.

"It's a crazy photo. My sister was touring Northwestern," Kropp said. "I remember we were in the Under Armour store in Chicago, and I remember thinking how could it would be if I could play at Northwestern.

"We took that picture and it's just crazy to have that picture. It's pretty cool it's all come full circle."

Meet Northwestern's newest Wildcat, who flew under-the-radar in his recruitment until popping up last Friday, in this WildcatReport premium story for subscribers only. Not a WildcatReport subscriber? Sign up today!