Minnesota recruiting: Gophers sign Chicago forward Alex Foster

Once billed as a top 25 player nationally as a sophomore, Chicago native Alex Foster officially signed with Tubby Smith and the Minnesota Golden Gophers on Wednesday, according to a report by Marcus R. Fuller of the Pioneer Press.

The 6'8, 200-pound Foster earned a three-star distinction from Scout.com as a high school senior, but did not develop into quite the same player many scouts expected after dominating his competition as an underclassman. Foster still possesses an ideal frame for his position and could instantly become one of Smith's top rebounders with the proper seasoning. But after his massive slide down the recruiting rankings in such a short time, the 18-year-old Foster remains confident in his abilities.

"I heard people saying, 'Oh, he fell off. Oh, he's reached his peak,' " Foster said. "I think I'm going to be my best in college. People have different blossom periods. You can't expect everybody to blossom right away."

Foster joins former high school teammate Alvin Harris in Minnesota's 2013 signing class, as the two hope to recapture their chemistry level from playing basketball together since sixth grade. While Smith may still be in search of a can't-miss prospect in order to create a domino effect, Harris and Foster are each solid additions for a program that is desperate to grow its recruiting base.