Dowagiac senior Dontel Highsmith has made a verbal commitment to Northern Illinois. (Leader photo/File)

Dowagiac senior Dontel Highsmith has made a verbal commitment to Northern Illinois University confirms Chieftain boys basketball coach Danum Hunt.

Highsmith is expected to make a formal announcement within the next few days.

Highsmith, a 6-2 point guard, led the Chieftains to the Class B state finals in 2010.

He took an official visiting to Northern Illinois and then made a commitment to new Huskies basketball coach Mark Montgomery.

Highsmith will make his first appearance with the Dowagiac football team Friday night when it travels to Coloma for a Wolverine Conference West Division contest.