Men's Hoops Signs Emmanuel Kuac to NLI

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — The University of New Mexico men’s basketball team has signed Emmanuel Kuac as its first incoming freshman for the 2019-20 season to National Letter of Intent (NLI), the program announced via social media Saturday. Kuac is ranked as the 147th prospect in the nation as a wing.

A 6-foot-6, 195-pound native of Calgary, Alberta, Canada, Kuac comes to the Lobos from Kearns High School in Salt Lake City, Utah where he captains the squad as a senior. This summer, Kuac also spent time with Exum Elite in the Gold Gauntlet 17U league.

“Emmanuel was a prospect we followed this past summer with tremendous enthusiasm,” head coach Paul Weir said. “He is an elite athlete with incredible upside that fits exactly how we play. 

“Once we got the opportunity to learn more about him and his personality we knew he was the perfect fit for our program. We are ecstatic he chose to become a Lobo.” 

Kuac was born in Nairobi, Kenya and has two siblings, David (19) and Francis (27). He has been ranked a top-five player in Canada and is also the owner of a 40-inch vertical leap.

“UNM was a great environment when I took my visit, I felt a good connection with the players and the coaches,” Kuac said. “I felt like their style of play was very intense and competitive and would help me develop my skill set to move forward and play at the next level. UNM is a school where I can see myself for four years.”

Kuac was also interviewed by Rivals.com and said of UNM: “It felt like their playing style is exactly how I play,” he told Rivals.com “It feels like I had a lot of chemistry with the coaches and the players from the minute I got there. The Mountain West is a good conference for me to showcase my game and to get better.”