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UNM men's basketball: Top recruit plans to sign with Lobos

Freshman freed from scholarship

By Jeremy Fowler
Friday, April 20, 2007

When one leaves, just replace him with two.

The signing of two recruits this week will likely help Lobos fans forget about the loss of 6-foot-11 redshirt freshman Derek Oestreicher, who was released from his scholarship Thursday.

Four-star guard Darrington Hobson, the University of New Mexico's most high-profile high school recruit in recent years, told The Tribune on Thursday he will sign with the Lobos.

A University of New Mexico source says 6-foot-8, 250-pound forward Johnnie Harris from Chipola (Fla.) Junior College has signed with the Lobos.

An even larger body, 6-10, 256-pound Monquel Pegues out of Cape Fear (N.C.) Community College, arrives in Albuquerque today for a two-day official visit, said Cape Fear coach Ryan Mantlo.

Hobson, ranked by Scout.com as the nation's 116th best high school player, said he's ready to unleash his playing ability in college and walk away from a distracting high school career.

The 6-7 point guard bounced from three different high schools while struggling to qualify academically.

Decatur Christian coach Alan Huss said his point guard currently has a 2.8 grade-point average and easily qualifies for college ball.

"You don't understand how much of a relief it is to move on to a better life," said Hobson, who was recruited by Kentucky, Oklahoma State, USC and other powers. "I'm ready for bigger and better things. I'm ready to help this team in any way I can and win as many games as possible."

New assistant coach Ryan Miller was the catalyst for the deal. Hobson, a former Pepperdine oral commitment, said he changed his status only when Miller left his Pepperdine assistant job for New Mexico in early April.

The two are close friends.

From the bench, Miller can watch what Hobson calls "a triple-double threat every time I step on the court."

Hobson averaged 19 points, 12 rebounds and seven assists per game for Decatur Christian.

"This feels like home," Hobson said. "I can't wait to get on The Pit court."

Hobson is the third player in the class of 2007 to sign with coach Steve Alford and the Lobos. Indiana point guard Dairese Gary, a former Iowa commitment, escaped his letter of intent to follow Alford, the former Hawkeyes coach, and sign with New Mexico.

Schools like Georgia, George Mason, UTEP and Oregon are interested in Pegues after last season's performance of 18.3 points and 7.5 rebounds per game earned him honorable mention junior college All-American honors.

Pegues has two scheduled official visits - New Mexico and UTEP.

"He's a banger inside," Mantlo said. "He likes to get physical and he has a nice scoring touch. New Mexico has a good shot at him, it just depends on how he feels."

Oestreicher's departure gives the Lobos five potential scholarships to use.

UNM assistant Craig Neal has expressed to Pegues that he could play a significant role right away because of the team's glaring need for size, Mantlo said.

The only true post player currently on the Lobos roster is 6-9 junior Daniel Faris, who averaged 4.8 points and 3.4 rebounds per game.

Harris could complement Faris down low. Ranked as the nation's No. 61 junior college player by Jucojunction.com, Harris averaged 7.5 points and 4.6 rebounds per game for national runner-up Chipola (Fla.) Junior College.