A Look At Recruiting Classes From Around The Mountain West
Plenty of prospects signed early this year.
Contact/Follow @HardwoodTalk & @MWCwire
The Runnin’ Rebels have the highest ranked recruiting class in the Mountain West.
We have created this list of players signed by coaching staffs in the early signing period so far for next season. Below is a list of each team and their signed players so far, with some info on that player and excerpts from head coaches on that signee.
Coaches aren’t allowed to comment on players who commit to a program throughout the year until they have received a signed National Letter of Intent from that prospect. Prospects can commit at anytime they want during the year and have two periods in which they can sign a letter of intent to play for that school.
The “early” signing period is a week long and started Nov. 13th and extended out to Nov. 20th. Most guys signed within the first two days of the week with only UNLV getting commitments and letters of intent signed after. The second signing period of the 2019-2020 season begins April 15th, 2020 and ends on May 20th, 2020.
Things To Note:
- UNLV and first year head coach TJ Otzelberger have the largest signed group in the conference and the highest ranked. Otzelberger was able to keep a promise when it came to recruiting by getting local guys to sign with the Runnin’ Rebels. Half of his recruiting class is either from Nevada or have played high school basketball in Nevada.
- Several teams have signed more prospects than they have seniors scheduled to leave, that means some current players will be expected to transfer.
- Wyoming was the lone team without a commit or signee in the early signing period.
- Air Force has 12 commits for the 2020 class per Verbal Commits. But with a complex system that includes possibly enrolling at Prep School and no confirmation of these commitments on the team’s website, they were excluded.
Boise State: 3 Signed
Bukre Smith 6-11 215 C Trinity Episcopal School-Glen Allen, VA
“Burke is extremely skilled for his size and his age,” Rice said. “Our program has always looked for skilled bigs to play our style and he does three things at a really advanced level that fit that mold: he shoots with range; he puts the ball on the floor, and he’s a very good passer. With his love for the game and outstanding work ethic he has a bright future at Boise State.” – Coach Rice
Kasean Pryor 6-9 179 SG Link Year Prep-Branson, MO
“Kasean is a long, athletic wing with huge upside,” Rice said. “He has a great combination of skill and feels not often seen in players his size. His game and body type is in the mold of James Webb and Derrick Alston, and he will be a tremendous fit in our system.” – Coach Rice
Jace Whiting 6-1 165 PG Burley HS-Burley ID
“Jace has a great feel for the game and brings a tremendous amount of skill to the combo guard position,” Rice said. “It’s always important to keep the best players in the state at home and we’re excited to have Jace in our program.” – Coach Rice
Colorado State: 2 Signed
Isaiah Rivera 6-5 190 SF Geneseo High School-Geneseo, IL
Jacob Jenniseen 6-1 205 C Sauk Centre Secondary-Sauk Centre, MN
Fresno State: 3 Signed
Braxton Meah 7-0 230 C San Joaquin Memorial HS-Fresno,CA
“Braxton is a 7-foot athlete, who can protect the rim and finish above the rim with the best of them,” Hutson said of Meah. “He’s a local product and has been very well coached and developed. We are glad to be able to keep him home and our community will really enjoy watching him play.” -Coach Hutson
Leonardo Colimerio 6-7 180 SF Wasatch Academy-Mount Pleasant,UT
“Leo is a versatile, positionless basketball player,” Hutson said of Colimerio. “Incoming from Brazil, he has an international feel for the game with great athleticism. We look forward to him playing all over the floor.” – Coach Hutson
Destin Whitaker 6-5 185 SG Romeroville HS-Romeoville, IL
“Destin can really shoot it,” Hutson said. “He comes from a basketball family and has been coached really well. Destin has a high basketball IQ, and while his strength is shooting, he is very versatile.” -Coach Hutson
Nevada: 4 Signed
Tre Coleman 6-7 185 SF Jeffersonville HS-Jeffersonville, IN
“Tre is a big athletic wing who can defend all over the court. He gives us a ton of versatility. A high-level athlete who will bring energy on both sides of the ball.” – Coach Alford
Alem Huseinovic 6-3 180 SG PHHoenix Prep-Scottsdale, AZ
“Alem is a tough, heady shooting guard. He really knows how to create and make shots. A fierce competitor who really knows how to play.” – Coach Alford
DeAndre Henry 6-7 225 PF PHHoenix Prep-Phoenix, AZ
“Dre has a tremendous ceiling as a basketball player. He is a strong and athletic player who loves to compete at both ends of the floor. He will improve daily due to how hard he works.” – Coach Alford
Jelani Clark 6-2 180 SG Archbishop Riordan HS-San Francisco, CA
“Je’Lani is a high energy, high motor player. He has a very high basketball IQ and is committed to being a great player. He has the ability to lead a team and program.” – Coach Alford
Daniel Foster 6-6 185 PG Golden State Preparatory School (CA)-Melbourne, AUS
“Daniel is a versatile guard who can play a variety of positions. A tough-minded competitor who knows how to play the game. We’ve had tremendous success with Australian born players.” – Coach Alford
New Mexico: 4 Signed
Javonte Johnson 6-6 185 SF Cheyenne Mountain HS-Colorado Springs, CO
“Javonte is a talented combo guard with a versatile profile on the court. His shooting ability is something we are always looking to add, but he couples it with tremendous size, ball-handling ability, and defense. Being so close to home and a young man of such quality character, we are ecstatic about what Javonte is capable of doing in the Cherry & Silver.” – Coach Weir
Bayron Matos 6-9 215 F Hamilton Heights Christian Academy-Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic
“Bayron brings an infectious energy and enthusiasm to our team immediately. He has a developed body that will allow him to be physically ready to play right away in college basketball, which is rare for a freshman. He is a nationally recognized talent and we can’t wait to get him here and help train him into a potentially dominant post presence in the Mountain West.” – Coach Weir
Nolan Dorsey 6-5 185 PG Millbrook Academy-Nightdale, NC
“Nolan is a big point guard with outstanding ball-handling and passing abilities. To get someone of his profile at the point guard position is something we have been working on since my arrival. With us losing significant big guard play and passing to graduation, this again provides us a great replacement to come here and develop into a great Lobo.” – Coach Weir
Assane N’Diaye 7-1 240 C Dakar, Senegal-Kilgore College
“Assane has incredible physical gifts to be able to fit perfectly with our team and style of play. His running ability for a player of his size is exceptional and his athleticism will immediately help fill the void of our graduates. He is a five-star young man and we look forward to having him here as a Lobo.” – Coach Weir
UNLV: 6 Signed
Nick Blake 6-6 190 SG IMG Academy-Las Vegas, NV
“Nick has an uncanny ability to score and rebound the basketball,” Otzelberger said. “His exceptional ball skills allow him to lead the break, attack off the dribble, and finish at the rim with authority.” – Coach TJ
Jhaylon Martinez 6-10 230 C Dream City Christian School (AZ)-Vallejo, CA
“Jhaylon has tremendous hands and passing ability for a big man,” Otzelberger said. “His outstanding touch will be an asset for him both on the block and stepping out to the perimeter.” – Coach TJ
Isaac Lindsey 6-4 185 SG Mineral Point HS-Mineral Point, WI
“Isaac is a dead-eye shooter with an excellent feel for the game,” Otzelberger said. “He can create off the bounce for his teammates as well as impose his will with his knack for making shots.” – Coach TJ
Donavan Yap SG 6-3 155 *** 7/18/2019 Arbor View HS-Las Vegas, NV
“Donavan is a dynamic playmaking guard that is electric with the basketball,” Otzelberger said. “He shoots it well from the perimeter and excels as a passer when he breaks down the defense.” – Coach TJ
Reece Brown 6-9 210 SF Loomis Chaffee School (CT)-Albany, NY
“Reece is an exceptional athlete with the versatility to play multiple positions,” Otzelberger said. “His high basketball IQ and multifaceted skill set will make him a difficult matchup.” – Coach TJ
Nick Fleming 6-1 PG Highland Community College (IL)-Atlanta, GA
“Nick is a natural floor general with an infectious enthusiasm,” Otzelberger said. “His quickness allows him to defend the dribble, push the tempo, and make plays for his teammates.” -Coach TJ
San Diego State: 3 Signed
Lamont Butler Jr. 6-0 165 PG Polytechnic HS-Riverside, CA
“Lamont is the ultimate teammate. He’s a pass first point guard who values winning above all else and will do whatever it takes to help the Aztecs be successful in the future.” – Coach Dutcher
Che Evans 6-7 195 SF Neumann-Goretti HS-Philadelphia, PA
“Che is a tremendous offensive talent who can score from all three levels. He is strong; can post up, take people off the dribble and is a great three-point shooter. Plus, he is a proven defender and is going to be a big piece to our Aztec future.” – Coach Dutcher
Keith Dinwiddie 6-2 175 SG Fairfax Senior HS-Los Angeles, CA
“Keith is a prolific scorer who can create his own shot at any time. He has tremendous range, but his strength also allows him to get to the basket and finish through contact. He was highly recruited, and we are very fortunate he chose to become a member of the San Diego State family.” – Coach Dutcher
San Jose State: 2 Signed
Hugo Clarkin 7-0 210 C J Serra Catholic-San Juan Capistrano, CA
“Hugo is a rapidly developing big man that is capable of shooting the three,” Prioleau said. “He plays for a powerhouse program in Southern California and has really grown his game. His best days are ahead of him.” – Coach Prioleau
Sebastian Mendoza 6-4 170 PG Hillcrest HS-Riverside, CA
“Sebastian is an all-around guard,” Prioleau said. “He’s very athletic and can shoot the three both off the dribble and off the catch. He will be ready to make an immediate impact for our program.” – Coach Prioleau
Utah State: 1 Signed
Rollie Worster 6-3 205 SG Hellgate HS-Missoula, MT
“We are thrilled to announce that Rollie Worster will be joining the Utah State family,” Smith said. “Rollie embodies what our program is all about. He has great character, humility, work ethic, and is passionate about basketball. At 6-3, 205 pounds, Rollie has excellent size for a guard. He has great feel for the game and has the ability to make plays for his teammates and himself. He is a winner!” – Coach Smith
Teams Without Commitments in the Early Signing Period: Air Force (Read above) and Wyoming
