Add another top-notch national recruit to the resume of Washington men's basketball coach Lorenzo Romar.

Seattle Prep center Spencer Hawes announced Tuesday afternoon that he will follow in the footsteps of father Jeff and uncle Steve as a member of the Huskies men's basketball team.

"It's an opportunity to take a hometown program to a level it's never been before," Hawes said.

"I wanted to be part of building a program to an elite level."

Hawes, a 6-foot-11 senior for the Panthers, said that North Carolina was a real close second and that he decided Saturday night during his visit to Washington that he wanted to stay close to home.

Hawes called Tar Heels coach Roy Williams on Sunday night to inform him of his decision.

In the end, it was Romar and the Huskies players Hawes said he got to know, which were a key to his decision, but admitted that family ties came into play as well.