Open Announce

Men's Basketball Signs Three to 2022 Recruiting Class

by Steve Kirkland

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M – The New Mexico men’s basketball program announced today that three prospective student-athletes have signed a National Letter of Intent to attend New Mexico, beginning in the summer of 2022.

Guards Braden Appelhans (Blue Springs, Mo.) and Donovan Dent (Corona, Calif.) and forward Quinton Webb (San Bernardino, Calif.) signed their official commitments on Wednesday to join the Lobos next season. The trio, all ranked among the top 300 players in the class of 2022, will form the freshman class of next year’s team.

Braden Appelhans | 6-7 | Guard | Blue Springs, Mo. | Western Reserve Academy (Ohio)

Three-star recruit by both 247Sports and Rivals … ranked as the No. 35 shooting guard and the No. 7 player in Ohio in the class of 2022 by 247Sports … Averaged over 16 points per game during his junior season at Blue Springs High School in Missouri … First Team All-Examiner (Independence, Mo.) as a junior … Transferred to Western Reserve Academy in Ohio for his senior season … Played for KC Run GMC.

Richard Pitino on Appelhans: “Braden is a player who we saw this summer and loved his skill-level. He has size, versatility and can score the basketball in a variety of ways. He comes from a terrific family and will be a great representative of this program, both on and off the court.”

Appelhans on UNM: “The reason I chose UNM is because I have a great relationship with the coaches. I love their style of play. The Lobo fans are crazy about basketball and when I was on campus, it felt like home. I can’t wait to get there.”

Donovan Dent | 6-2 | Guard | Corona, Calif. | Centennial HS

Three-star recruit by both 247Sports and Rivals … ranked as the No. 24 point guard in the nation and the No. 16 player in California in the class of 2022 by 247Sports … 2021 CIF Southern Section Co-Player of the Year … 2021 Inland Boys Player of the Year … Averaged 15.7 points and 6.0 assists during junior season at Centennial HS as team won CIF Championship … Played for Hoop Nation.

Pitino on Dent: “Donovan comes from an unbelievably successful high school program that understands the value of winning. He has won at every level and has the intangibles of a terrific collegiate guard in the future as well as being a phenomenal leader.”

Dent on UNM: “I chose New Mexico because I felt that it was the best place for me as a player and as a person. The school will do everything to help me grow to be the best person I can be on and off the court. I love how it is a family culture there.”

Quinton Webb | 6-6 | Forward | San Bernardino, Calif. | Etiwanda HS

Three-star recruit by both 247Sports and Rivals … ranked as the No. 60 power forward in the nation and No. 32 player from California in the class of 2022 by 247Sports … 2021 First-Team All-League while helping Etiwanda win the CIF Regional Championship … 2020 All-CIF Southern Section Division 4A … 2019 All-CIF Southern Section Division 5AA at Loma Linda Academy … Played for Compton Magic

Pitino on Webb: “Quinton is a player that when we saw him play, he showcased terrific versatility on the court. He has size, length and athleticism and combines that skill with strong character both on and off the court.”

Webb on UNM: “I chose New Mexico because of my relationship with Coach Pitino and the entire staff. Coach Pitino is a winner and does a great job of developing his players. New Mexico has one of the best fan bases in the country and The Pit is an awesome place to play. I am looking forward to helping New Mexico get back to the NCAA Tournament.”