(Matt McCarthy/Daily News photos) Iron Mountain senior Foster Wonders signs his National Letter of Intent to play basketball at Southern Illinois University, Wednesday at the Mountaineer Gymnasium at Iron Mountain High School.

IRON MOUNTAIN — The second Wednesday in November was designated National Letter of Intent signing day for NCAA Division I basketball recruits. Iron Mountain High School senior Foster Wonders signed his NLI on Wednesday morning to attend Southern Illinois University on a full basketball scholarship.

Wonders’ parents, Matt and Julie, along with Mountaineers head varsity basketball coach Harvey “Bucky” Johnson and athletic director Donny Bianco joined Wonders for his signing.

Wonders, who has worked hard on and off the court and in the classroom for this day to happen for himself and his family, was smiling from ear to ear.

“It feels really good, I have been waiting for this day for a long time. I have worked every day towards this goal,” Wonders said. “I can still remember sitting here watching my brother sign with Northern Michigan, and wanting that to be me someday … it’s kind of crazy that the day is already here. I am really excited.”

Wonders’ parents played basketball for Northern Michigan University and both are in the NMU Sports Hall of Fame for their contributions and accomplishments. His brother, Carson, is entering his junior season as a Wildcat.

Iron Mountain senior Foster Wonders signs his National Letter of Intent to play basketball at the University of Southern Illinois Wednesday, as his parents Julie and Matt Wonders, as well as Iron Mountain head varsity basketball coach Bucky Johnson look on.

“Today means a lot to me. My whole family played college basketball, so I wanted it to be me as well,” Wonders said. “Signing today makes me feel like all the late nights in the gym and lifting weights has paid off, and were worth all the effort. Once they can come watch me play college basketball, it’ll definitely be a dream come true.”

Southern Illinois University is located in Carbondale, Illinois. The Salukis play in The Missouri Valley Conference, whose conference tournament championship game is broadcast nationally on CBS on Sunday afternoon, a week prior to NCAA Selection Sunday.

“That’s definitely a big goal for me and my teammates is to get to that game and win it. To play in March Madness is definitely motivation and a goal for us. I think we’re building something for the future in order for our team to be able to do that,” Wonders said.

In today’s society, where communication is in the front or back pocket of most people via cellphones, Wonders notes that he’s been in contact with a handful of his future SIU teammates and his future head coach Bryan Mullins. “Coach is really looking forward to receiving my officially signed NLI, and having me officially become a Saluki.”

As a junior in the 2019-20 season, Wonders scored 603 points for a 27.4 per game average, snaring 7.8 (171) rebounds per game, with 2.4 assists (52) and 2 steals per game (42). He was named Mr. U.P. Basketball by the Upper Peninsula Sportswriters and Sportscasters for the second consecutive season, and to the all-class Dream Team for the third consecutive season.

Iron Mountain senior Foster Wonders sits smiling after signing his National Letter of Intent to play basketball at Southern Illinois University, Wednesday morning.

In 68 varsity basketball games at Iron Mountain, Wonders has scored 1,618 points. He’ll have an exceptional chance in the upcoming 2020-21 season to break the U.P.’s all-time scoring record for the boys

The Mountaineers’ record in the 68 game Wonders has played in 64-4. “A huge reason for our record in the past three years, has obviously been Foster. He has worked very hard for today, and I am very proud of him,” said Johnson. “He’s a great kid and he’ll do great things in the future.”