ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. – Head coach Craig Neal has announced the signing of three players today for the 2016-17 University of New Mexico men’s basketball team.
Neal’s staff is bringing in two freshmen and one transfer player during the early signing period. Joining the Lobos will be transfer forward Connor MacDougall of South Mountain Community College and previously Arizona State University and Corona Del Sol HS. Also joining is Damien Jefferson of East Chicago Central HS and Aher Uguak of Harry Ainley HS in Edmonton, Canada.
“We are very excited about this class,” said Neal. “I think they are all going to be really good players here. My staff did a great job recruiting this year, so it’s an exciting day for us.”
To learn more about the class, tune into ROOT SPORTS’ 2015 UNM Men’s Basketball NLI show, first airing this Friday, Nov. 13 at 10 p.m. following UNM Hoops’ season-opening doubleheader. Comcast viewers can find ROOT SPORTS on channel 261 and 814 in HD. ROOT SPORTS is on channel 414 on DISH and channel 683 on DirectTV. Below is a list of additional airings:
Monday, Nov. 16 at 7 p.m.
Tuesday, Nov. 17 at 6:30 p.m.
Friday, Nov. 20 at 5:30 p.m.
Sunday, Nov. 22 at 11:30 a.m.
Tuesday, Nov. 24 at 7:30 p.m.
Connor MacDougall – 6’9″ – Forward – Tempe, Ariz.
MacDougall commits to UNM from South Mountain CC, where he will play the upcoming 2015-16 season. He played his freshman year at Arizona State University, but had to sit out after only six games played due to a shoulder injury. Prior to his time with the Sun Devils, MacDougall was a star recruit out of Corona Del Sol HS. He led his high school squad to a 32-1 record in 2013-14 and an Arizona State Championship. He was rated by Rivals.com as a top-120 player nationally in the 2014 class, while Fox Sports Next ranked him as the 12th best center in the nation. MacDougall will join his former high school teammate in Dane Kuiper at UNM.
“Connor has really improved and I really like him as a kid,” admitted Neal. “He is going to give us an inside presence, much like Cam (Bairstow) did. He has great foot work, he’s strong and will do what we need him to do. He can rebound, shoot and be a great low post scorer. We needed to obtain that in this class and we did, so we are really happy about getting Connor and think he will be a special player.”
Damien Jefferson – 6’4″ – Guard/Forward – East Chicago, Ind.
Jefferson comes to UNM after playing the last three seasons at East Chicago Central HS. Jefferson is rated as a top-150 player in his class nationally by Rivals.com. Last year, as a junior, Jefferson nearly averaged a double-double with 23.4 points per game and 9.9 rebounds per game. With Jefferson filling up the box score, East Chicago Central HS finished the season with a 21-5 record and an appearance in the Indiana State Finals. Jefferson is the son of former Lobo Everett Jefferson, who averaged 5.72 assists and 1.94 steals per game, both team-bests, in 1979-80.
“He is an Indiana kid who played at a really good high school with good coaching,” Neal said. “He can rebound well for a guard and shoots it well like his father. I think he can defend premier guards on the perimeter, and just knows how to play. We’ve needed to improve our outside shooting, and he will help us, but he also gives us another long athlete who will help us score.”
Aher Uguak – 6’7″ – Guard/Forward – Edmonton, Canada
Uguak commits to UNM as he begins his senior campaign at Henry Ainley HS. Uguak will be looking to finish a strong high school career in Edmonton after previously winning the provincial championship. Uguak is rated as one of the best high school players in Western Canada and the top prospect out of Alberta. Playing with his AAU team, Drive Elite, Uguak was named the 2015 Alberta NPH Showcase camp Most Valuable Player.
“He’s a very unique player,” stated Neal. “He’s so explosive, but the thing I like about him is that he cares about the game and has a passion for it. He’s also a great student. He has so much potential, the sky is truly the limit for him. Our player development will really help him become a special talent.”
The Lobos will begin their 2015-16 regular season on Friday, facing Texas Southern at 5:30 p.m. in the WisePies Arena aka The Pit.
Lobos Net Three on Signing Day
