Hobson Signs NLI With the Lobos

April 24, 2007

University of New Mexico men’s basketball coach Steve Alford announced the signing of 6-7 guard/forward Darington Hobson to a National Letter of Intent today. Hobson is the second recruit to sign an NLI in the spring signing period. He joins 6-1 guard Dairese Gary in the first recruiting class assembled by new Lobo head coach Steve Alford.

Darington Hobson • 6-7 • 190 • Guard/Forward • Las Vegas, Nev. • Decatur (Ill.) Christian
Rated a four-start recruit by Scout.com as the 25th best small forward in the country…averaged 19 points, 12 rebounds and seven assists for head coach Alan Huss at Decatur Christian High School in Decatur, Ill…listed as the 116th best prospect in the class of 2007 by Rivals.com…versatile player who can play the small forward, shooting guard or point guard position…was also being recruited by Kentucky…PERSONAL: Born Sept. 29, 1987.

Head Coach on Darington Hobson
“Darington gives us a highly touted recruit who can play different guard positions. He has a great feel for the game and is really focusing on being a point guard. He has the skills and ability to give us a lot of size at the guard position.”

2007 New Mexico Men’s Basketball Signees

Name	Pos.	HT	WT	Hometown (Last School)
Dairese Gary	G	6-1	205	Elkhart, Ind. (Concord HS)
Darington Hobson	G/F	6-7	190	Las Vegas, Nev. (Decatur (Ill.) Christian HS)

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…a three-star recruit rated the No. 28 point guard in the nation according to Scout.com…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.”