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It's no surprise that one of the first memories of Phillip McDonald is on a basketball court.

McDonald, arguably the highest-profile recruit to visit the University of New Mexico, has been itching to be on a basketball court since soon after he learned to walk.

"I was playing a varsity basketball game back in Houston when he was just like 2 years old," said Terrance Hatton, McDonald's older brother. "My mom liked to sit in front with Phillip to watch me play. She looked away for a second and he ran onto the court. We had to stop the game because he wanted to be on that basketball court so badly."

McDonald has developed into a star basketball player, the kind of athlete many believe could transform a program.

He is a 6-foot-5, 200-pound shooting guard who is entering his senior season at Cypress Springs High near Houston. McDonald played on the T-Mac All-Stars, a team coached by new UNM assistant Chris Walker.

McDonald is rated a four-star recruit by Rivals.com and Scout.com. Rivals ranked him the 87th best senior in the country, while Scout lists him as the 18th best shooting guard.

He is making his official visit to UNM today through Sunday. McDonald arrives at the Sunport today and is slated to be greeted by Lobos fans, who have been spreading the word about his arrival.

"I told him he needs to expect some big crowds and understand people will want to meet him," Hatton said. "I think he'll handle it fine. He's pretty laid back, but he appreciates all the attention. He'll enjoy himself and won't be scared by it. He doesn't mind signing autographs or taking pictures with people."

UNM is McDonald's first official visit. He also has trips lined up to Kansas next weekend and Oregon the first weekend in October. Hatton and McDonald's mother will be joining the hoops star on the recruiting trips.

"(Phillip) doesn't know what to expect, but he's just really excited since this is his first recruiting trip," Hatton said. "He wants to get the ball rolling and make these visits."

McDonald has met coaches at every school he is visiting, so the trips are more about getting a feel for the community.

"One of the main things we want is just to get him on the campus while school is in session to see how he feels as he is walking around and the vibe he gets from being around other students," Hatton said. "It's his comfort level we care about because he will making a choice to spend the next four years in a new city. It's a big decision, and he has to feel good about it."

Developing into a coveted basketball prospect has been a blessing and a curse for McDonald.

He was flooded with attention from Division I coaches.

McDonald, his two brothers and parents spent hours narrowing down his list of potential schools.

UNM stayed on the list thanks to the close relationships McDonald had formed with the coaching staff dating back to first-year coach Steve Alford's tenure at Iowa.

"The process has been difficult because every school has something good to offer, but you have to find a way to focus on a few schools," Hatton said.

Hatton has taken on a major role in the process, chatting up coaches while McDonald focuses on playing basketball. Hatton played football and ran track at Texas State-San Marcos, so he was a natural candidate to help his brother through the recruiting process.

"I accepted this role on behalf of my family because I don't really have a family of my own and can devote the time to helping my brother so that he doesn't get overwhelmed," said Hatton, who is 31. "I wasn't recruited anywhere near the level he is on, but I did get a little attention. I understand coaches can promise you the world but it can change once you get on campus.

"I'm here to protect my brother as much as I can, but it's still his decision."

McDonald and his family said they aren't sure when he will make an oral commitment, but they have decided he will sign a letter of intent during the early signing period in November.

"Once he signs early, he can finally relax," Hatton said. "He won't have a lot of coaches calling him, and he can just enjoy his senior year and focus on his last year of high school basketball. The pressure is cooking right now."

Shirts and skins: The UNM men's basketball team will play a shirts and skins pick-up game in The Pit two hours before the Lobos football team takes on New Mexico State on Saturday.

Fans are invited to enter The Pit free of charge to watch the team play and greet McDonald, who will be watching the Lobos play.