Recruit coached by former Saluki Shane Hawkins in high school

The Salukis didn’t go far to grab a new player for next season.

Coach Barry Hinson announced the signing of 6-foot-6 forward Chase Heins out of Trico High School in Campbell Hill, roughly 30 miles outside of Carbondale. Heinz averaged 13.1 points and 8.6 rebounds last season for Trico, which reached the Class 2A Regional Final before losing to Pinckneyville High School Feb. 24.

“We are very excited to add a local player of Chase’s caliber to our program,” Hinson said in a press release. “We worked him out and were impressed with his size, strength and skill level. We think he can develop into a solid player for us.”

Heins was coached by Shane Hawkins, who played for SIU from 1995-98. Hawkins came back to SIU as a graduate assistant in 2002, and then was promoted to assistant coach from 2004 to 2005.

Hinson said Hawkins gave the coaching staff a strong recommendation for Heins.

Men’s basketball has two open scholarships for the 2012-13 school year, and Media Services Director Tom Weber said Hinson hasn’t decided if Heins will be given one of those scholarships.