April 19, 2007
University of New Mexico men’s basketball coach Steve Alford announced the signing of 6-1 guard Dairese Gary to a National Letter of Intent today. Gary is the first recruit to sign an NLI under Alford, who was named the 19th coach of the Lobos on March 23. Gary, a native of Elkhart, Ind., averaged 21.8 ppg while leading Concord High School to a 13-7 record last season.
Dairese Gary 6-1 205 Guard Elkhart, Ind. Concord HS
Two-time first team all-area selection from Concord High School in Elkhart, Ind., Gary was the first player to sign with New Mexico under new head coach Steve Alford…led Concord to a 13-7 record as a senior, scoring 21.8 ppg…also averaged 4.3 rebounds, 3.9 assists and 1.8 steals per game…shot 56.3% from the floor, 34.7% from 3-pt. range and 69.0% from the foul line…led the Northern Lakes Conference in scoring, posting 19.6 points per game in league action…scored 1,330 points in his high school career, ranking ninth all-time at Concord, the same high school that produced Shawn Kemp…led Concord to the sectional title as a junior with a 22-2 record, averaging 22.3 ppg, four rebounds and two assists…PERSONAL: Born Oct. 21, 1988, Gary is the son of Gregory and Dennise Gary….first name is pronounced da-REESE.
Head Coach Steve Alford on Dairese Gary
“We have been recruiting Dairese for three years. I like his toughness and the way he competes. He is a winner and has such an unselfish attitude. He is going to be a good combo guard for us. He really guards and I think getting somebody like that always benefits your program.”