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UNM men's basketball: 6-foot-8 forward to join Lobos

Harris, Alford's third recruit, played for No. 2 junior college

By Jeremy Fowler
Thursday, April 26, 2007

Exhale, Lobos fans. There's a big man in the 2007 draft class.

Johnnie Harris, a 6-foot-8 forward out of Chipola (Fla.) Junior College, has signed with the Lobos, coach Steve Alford announced Wednesday.

Harris becomes the third signee in Alford's 2007 class, joining high school guards Darrington Hobson and Dairese Gary.

Don't be surprised if another big man follows Harris in the coming days.

Cape Fear Community College center Monquel Pegues has UNM "in the driver's seat" for his 6-10, 256-pound services next season, Cape Fear coach Ryan Mantlo told The Tribune on Wednesday.

Harris averaged 7.3 points and 4.6 rebounds for 33-3 Chipola, the runner-up in last season's NCJAA Division-I title game. Jucojunction.com ranks Harris the No. 61 junior college player in the nation.

"Johnnie is a winner and does everything he can to help his team get better," Alford said. "He is a big kid inside who can guard the post and is a great finisher. He has great hands and footwork and gives us a presence inside that we need."

Playing time won't be an issue for incoming members of UNM's frontcourt. Junior Daniel Faris, 6-9, is the only center from last season's roster.

Mantlo said Pegues, who averaged 18.3 points and 7.5 rebounds per game last season, will meet with UNM assistant coach Craig Neal next week to discuss a possible future with UNM.

Pegues enjoyed last week's official visit to UNM so much, Mantlo said, that he canceled his visit to UTEP that was scheduled for this weekend. Now Oregon and Georgia are trying to squeeze into the equation.

School must come before Pegues plays for anybody. He needs 15 credit hours over the summer to become eligible, Mantlo said.

"New Mexico has the inside track right now," Mantlo said. "They are pushing him hard to sign now. He might make another visit before it's all done."

Moving on: Two of Ritchie McKay's former recruits are starting over, though only one will still play for him.

Former UNM center Derek Oestreicher signed with McKay and Liberty University this week, the school announced.

Rivals.com is reporting high school guard Ty Abbott from Phoenix will play for Arizona State of the Pac-10 Conference.

UNM granted the 6-11 Oestreicher his release last week. The redshirt freshman never played a game for the Lobos.

Illinois, Washington State and Vanderbilt all recruited Abbott after he escaped his letter of intent from UNM in February. McKay was fired Feb. 22.