Friday and the world of WAC hoops

Max McCombs reports that Coach David Carter is buying next time.

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Robert Kuwada writes that Fresno State will be hitting Pauley Pavilion in late December -- Robert Upshaw versus Josh Smith.

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Dayton Morinaga has a print and video update from Coach Gib Arnold. Is it Gerry Blakes being alluded to? Does having Sham help make it happen? Don't think they played on the same club team but must have known one another but to what degree?

Wendell McKines is interviewed after working out for the Golden State Warriors. 

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Mel Grussing offers what he's been hearing about Kyisean Reed and the folks in Logan should be happy.

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Utah State and Nevada are looking at Beehive State prepster Stephan Holm. Note that Casey Oliverson looks headed to Salt Lake Community College.

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Payton Dastrup has now been offered by ASU, in addition to UC Davis and Utah State. Plus, Arizona is in the wings for the 6-foot-10 2014 high schooler.

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Sportsbow has this note on a possible UH walk-on, Michael Harper. Everyone should have an Aussie, even just for post-game interviews.

Saturday's WAC hoops roundup

Posted this early as I'm off to a basketball tournament.

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Per Joey Natale, a Utah prep shooting guard is garnering interest from the Wolf Pack: "2013 Utah Pump N Run SG Stephan Holm has interest from USC, Nevada, Pepperdine and Utah"

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Ask and you shall receive -- Denver athletics just posted an article on the recruiting class of the Pioneers and there indeed are three more players who have signed on with Coach Joe Scott.

The University of Denver men's basketball team has added Xavier transfer Griffin McKenzie (Cincinnati, Ohio) to its 2012 recruiting class, head coach Joe Scott announced today.

McKenzie, a 6-foot-9, 240-pound forward from Moeller High School in Cincinnati, was recruited out of high school by nearby Xavier, Wake Forest, Ohio State, Northwestern and Vanderbilt. Due to NCAA transfer rules, McKenzie will sit out the 2012-13 season as a redshirt and begin playing for the Pioneers in 2013-14.

"Griffin was a highly recruited player out of high school," Scott said. "He's big, strong and athletic, and we know he will fit in well with our program. He complements our current players extremely well. We look forward to him contributing in the future."

McKenzie completes a talented recruiting class that also features Nate Engesser (Colorado Springs, Colo.), Jalen Love (Wichita, Kan.), Bryant Rucker (Frisco, Texas) and Dom Samac (Zagreb, Croatia).

Engesser, a 6-foot-3 guard, led Colorado Springs Christian School to a 26-1 record as a senior, while averaging 23.4 points, 6.7 rebounds, 4.6 assists and 2.9 steals per game. The two-time All-State selection, Engesser finished his career as Colorado Springs Christian's all-time leading scorer with 1,902 points.

A 6-foot-2, Love was selected to the Kansas Basketball Coaches Association 6A All-State Second Team, Wichita Eagle All-State Third Team and Wichita Eagle All-Metro as a senior after leading Wichita (Kan.) East High School to a successful record in 2011-12, during which they snapped three-time defending state champion and rival Wichita Heights' 62-game winning streak.

Rucker is a 6-foot point guard, graduated as the all-time leading scorer and assist leader in Centennial (Texas) High School basketball history. Bryant was voted the District 9-4A Most Valuable Player and made the Texas Association of Basketball Coaches All-Region team as a senior after helping lead his team to a 16-9 record, including 12-3 in league play.

Originally from Zagreb, Croatia, Samac is a 6-8 forward/center, who helped lead North Broward Prep (Fla.) to a 15-11 record as a senior. Samac was named All-County honorable mention as a senior.

PTW posted earlier about McKenzie and Engesser coming aboard but  Love, Rucker and Samac are new names to us.

 Jalen Love

here's a three minute 2011 video

Bryant Rucker

Domagoj Samac (defending)