ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. – The 2016-17 Lobo men’s basketball season is just days away from officially beginning, and head coach Craig Neal is ready to welcome two future Lobos who signed their national letters of intent with New Mexico on Wednesday.
High school prospects Isaiah Poor Bear-Chandler of Omaha Central High School and Chris Sodom of Tennessee Prep have both pledged to join the Lobos as freshmen beginning the 2017-18 season.
“We are really excited that signing day is here,” said Neal. “We’re very fortunate to sign two really good inside frontcourt players in Chris and Isaiah. It’s the first time in a long time that we we’re able to get two four-star frontcourt players. My staff did an excellent job and I am really excited about each of them. It’s a great day for our program.”
Isaiah Poor Bear-Chandler – 6-foot-9-inch – Forward – Omaha, Neb.
Poor Bear-Chandler, a 6-foot-9 forward, chose New Mexico over Wichita State, among others. Chandler, a four-star recruit by ESPN, averaged 13 points, 8.5 rebounds and more than three blocks per game as a junior as Central qualified for the Class A State tournament. During the summer time, Poor-Bear Chandler plays for the Omaha Elite AAU team.
“Isaiah is great on his feet,” said Neal. “He is nimble on his toes and can run well. He is low post player, but can also extend it and make threes. He is going to be a really good player here, as is Chris. I am really excited to get him and Chris on campus. Isaiah has a body like Drew Gordon and I think he will have an unbelievable career here at New Mexico.”
Poor-Bear Chandler is a Second Team All-Metro Conference and an All-State Honorable Mention selection. He is second all-time in school history with 89 blocks in a season (one short of school record), and he owns the school record for field goal percentage (.706).
Chris Sodom – 7-foot-3-inch – Center – Nigeria
Sodom, a 7-foot-3 center originally from Nigeria, chose New Mexico over offers from TCU and Purdue. He lived in the Houston area before moving to Tennessee this school year. Sodom, a four-star recruit by ESPN, played for the Houston Defenders’ AAU squad.
“Chris runs really well and causes problems defensively because he is so long,” said Neal. “He has really improved over the last six months. He played at a high level and had a great summer with the Houston Defenders. I think he has a really high ceiling and is a great kid to be around. We’re excited to get him here. With losing Obij Aget, he is really going to help us anchor our defense, but he can also score around the rim and run the floor. He is definitely going to help us.”