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Four-star point guard becomes UNLV’s first 2015 commitment

Dave Rice

UNLV head coach Dave Rice instructs his team during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game against Colorado State on Wednesday, Feb. 26, 2014, in Las Vegas. UNLV defeated Colorado State 78-70. (AP Photo/Isaac Brekken)

AP

After putting together one of the nation’s best recruiting classes in advance of the 2014-15 season, UNLV head coach Dave Rice didn’t have as many holes to fill with his 2015 recruiting class. Saturday evening the Mountain West program landed its first commitment in the class and it’s a good one, as four-star point guard Jalen Poyser will attend the school according to multiple media outlets.

Poyser took to Twitter shortly thereafter to announce his decision.

The 6-foot-3 Poyser attends Orangeville Prep in Canada, which is the school used by players who play for the Athlete Institute program (including top 2016 prospect Thon Maker). Poyser played for the CIA Bounce grassroots program that has produced numerous Division I players in recent years, including Anthony Bennett (UNLV), Andrew Wiggins (Kansas), Tyler Ennis (Syracuse) and current Florida State sophomore Xavier Rathan-Mayes.

Poyser’s play during the summer, including a stop at the adidas Nations camp in August, led to his rise up the recruiting rankings. Playing alongside Oregon freshman forward Dillon Brooks at adidas Nations, Poyser averaged 16.8 points per game and shot 56.6% from the field. He was able to break down opponents off the dribble at the camp, either to score or get to the foul line (he attempted 7.2 free throws per game at adidas Nations).

Poyser joins what will be a young backcourt next season, with current freshmen Jordan Cornish, Patrick McCaw and Rashad Vaughn all being freshmen and Kendall Smith being a sophomore. UNLV will have one senior amongst its perimeter players next season, Rutgers transfer Jerome Seagears. Daquan Cook, who suffered a torn ACL in September, will be a redshirt junior.

Prior to making his decision, Poyser also took visits to Rhode Island and St. Bonaventure according to Scout.com.

Follow @raphiellej