In one of the busiest and most exciting year of
recruiting the Lobo coaching staff looks like they finalized their 2008- 2009
class with the verbal commitment of Dallas Texas point guard Nathen Garth.
Nathen looks to be the final piece of the puzzle as he
joins a great class that includes Phillip McDonald, Isaiah Rusher, Curtis Dennis,
and Will Brown.
After a few days of phone tag with Nathen I was able to
talk to the excited future Lobo. I asked Nathen why he decided on UNM. Garth
said he felt real comfortable with the coaching staff, he was also liked that
the experience that Coach Alford and Coach Neal had in the NBA. Nathen felt also
felt the staff would help him realize his potential and get him to the next
level due to their experience.
As many of you know Nathen had original verballed to
Minnesota so I asked him why the switch? Garth said, “I originally gave my
verbal to Minnesota but after thinking it through I backed of. It seemed like
they did not want him any more, I felt uncomfortable with the situation.” After
he de-committed Garth said the first phone call he got was from the UNM coaching
staff and “they were on me hard,” said Garth.
Nathen also mentioned his connection with many of the
other 2008 Lobo recruits. Nathen said,
“my relationship with other New Mexico commitments made it easier for him
to decide to come to UNM.” Nathen also went on to say that he played against all
of the future Lobos in high school ball or summer AAU tournaments the past few
years. Nathen also played with Will Brown in Dallas, Texas at Woodrow Wilson
High School, so yes the connections are all
there.
Don’t think UNM was the only school to take a look at the
Dallas prospect as Nathen said he was also being looked at and in contact with
Temple, Tennessee, UTEP, and
Illinois.
We will check back in with Nathen in a few months and see how the
upcoming season is going. TheRedMenace.com would like to thank Nathen Garth for
his time and look forward to meeting him in person when he makes his official
visit to the 505!