Thorough summary of Nevada's recruiting to date

With the departure of JaVale McGee, Nevada Coach Mark Fox is looking for 'bigs' and we believe he has two basketball scholarships remaining. But Chris Murray does a great job here with who Fox has lassoed to date. It is an impressive class already:

Fox is a persuasive recruiter
Chris Murray
April 16, 2008

On a cold and windy afternoon a year and half ago, Galena High basketball coach Tom Mauer and his star pupil Luke Babbitt ventured outside for their daily workout. They were met there by Nevada coach Mark Fox.

It was the first day college coaches could evaluate high school recruits, and only Fox was there to watch one of the brightest high school talents in the nation. The thermometer barely broke 30 degrees and the wind was strong enough to knock over a small tree, but Fox was there.

"That right there says a lot about Coach Fox's dedication to his job and his love of recruiting," Mauer said, recalling the day.

The spring signing period opens today, and the Wolf Pack is putting the finishing touches on its latest recruiting class -- arguably the best class in school history. The class has been ranked in the top 25 by a number of national publications, with Fox and his staff slugging it out with BCS schools for the same recruits...

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Nevada's recruiting class

Luke Babbitt
Hometown: Reno
Previous school: Galena High
Position: Combo forward
Height/Weight: 6-8/215
Status: Signed letter of intent

Comment: Babbitt is the highest-profile recruit in program history. The McDonald's All-American can play inside and outside. He is an efficient scorer and tireless worker. The lefty has an excellent feel for the game, a high basketball IQ and is an excellent mid-range shooter. He will bring size to the Wolf Pack front court and is working to improve his strength and speed.

Scout.com take: Five stars out of five ... the sixth-best power forward in the country ... the 19th-best overall prospect in the country.

Mark McLaughlin
Hometown: Kenmore, Wash.
Previous school: Inglemoor High
Position: Shooting guard
Height/Weight: 6-5/175
Status: Signed letter of intent

Comment: McLaughlin originally committed to Washington State, but de-committed to play for the Wolf Pack. He is long and lean and can shoot off the dribble or catch. He needs to add weight to his frame, which would allow him to become a more efficient all-around scorer. His long arms give him the ability to become a plus-defender and he has shown flashes of being an exceptional passer.

Scout.com take: Four stars out of five ... the 16th-best shooting guard in the country ... the 76th-best overall prospect in the country.

London "Cotton" Giles
Hometown: Dallas
Previous school: Kimball High
Position: Combo guard
Height/Weight: 6-3/180
Status: Signed letter of intent

Comment: Giles was an under-recruited player out of Texas. He can play either point guard or shooting guard and was described as "a high-major talent" by Ervin Davis, who has coached Giles. "He's got some of the best work ethic you've seen," Davis said. Scout.com national recruiting director Dave Telep calls Giles the X-factor of the recruiting class.

Scout.com take: Two stars out of five.

Joey Shaw
Hometown: Glendale, Ariz.
Previous school: College of Southern Idaho
Position: Shooting guard
Height/Weight: 6-6/200
Status: Verbal commitment

Comment: Nevada heavily recruited Shaw out of Deer Valley High in Glendale, Ariz., but he instead chose Indiana University. After his redshirt freshmen season with the Hoosiers, Shaw transferred to Southern Idaho, where he averaged 16.8 points and 4.7 rebounds per game. He can be a deadly shooter and has improved as a slashing scorer, but he needs to improve defensively.

Scout.com take: One star out of five.

Go here for the remainder of Murray's article.