Newcomers

     Coach Fran Fraschilla has accomplished a first. He has signed the first set of back to back top 25 recruiting classes to New Mexico. With the five new additions, four who will be seeing playing time next year, the Lobos future looks bright. Most importantly, it appears that Fraschilla has plugged that gaping hole in the middle of his team. If these talented newcomers live up to their billings, and the veterans continue to improve and excel, the Lobos look to be a force in the world of college basketball next year.
       On paper UNM looks to have an athletic team with a deep bench, and balanced scoring. The potential is there for the 2001-2002 team to be among the best in Lobo history. However, having potential and realizing it are two different things. To realize their potential this squad needs to regain the complete dominance the Lobos used to hold over all rivals in the Pit, and to take on the mentality of true warriors on the road. If they can accomplish this, than perhaps NCAA glory awaits in the field of 64. Now to meet the players whose contributions are expected to bring this team to the "next level."
       The first of the latest recruiting class to sign on the dotted line was Chad Bell of Westchester High in Los Angeles. Bell is a 7 foot freshmen who is considered a project by many analysts. His potential led such big names schools as Kentucky, UCLA, and North Carolina to recruit the young post. Lobo fans might remember Chad being in attendance at the Lobo Howl this past year, where a group started to chant "We want Chad, We want Chad" before the event ended. The next day Bell made it official. He had decided to come to New Mexico. Some have criticized Bell for his less than dominating stats, but his Westchester squad was loaded with as many as 7-8 Division I prospects. These stats indicate that Bell is willing to be a good role player, someone who does not have to be the man when he steps on the court. If Bell works hard he is almost sure to be a force to be reckoned with under the basket by his junior year.
       Bell's signing was followed by fellow Californian Jamal Williams of Centennial High, in Corona. Williams has been rated as the fourth best small forward in the west. It was suprising that more big name programs did not actively recruit him, but their loss led to a Lobo gain. Williams stands at 6'6" and averaged over 22 points a game in high school. That will not continue with the Lobos, as this team is loaded with enough talent to spread the scoring around. For Williams to fit in he will have to develop into whatever role coach Fraschilla wants him to play. This young stud appears to be quite the catch for New Mexico, giving them an inside outside player to complement the guards, and help the young frontcourt.
      In the spring Fraschilla had three scholarships left to fill, and he did it in a manner that pleased everyone. His third signee stirred up a bit of controversy initially, but when the following spots were filled the noise died down.
      The third scholarship went to local product Mark Walters out of Highland High School in Albuquerque. Part of the controversy with the Walters signing was the lack of big name programs going after him, but Fraschilla and his staff believe that if Walters was playing ball in New York or L.A. he would have been heavily recruited. Walters, a 6'2" guard, is expected to redshirt this season due to the depth already in place for the coming season. His job will be to learn as much as he can from the upperclassmen he will be competing against in practice. The motivation is in place in the form of many naysayers who doubt Walters can play Division I ball.
      After the signing of Walters, Fran appeased many fans with the addition of 6'7" power forward Cody Payne of Collin County Community College. The junior college transfer looks to be the Lobos' garbage man next season. He appears to be an enforcer style player, one of the guys you love to hate when an opponent has one, but who becomes among the most popular when they play for you. His job will be to crash the boards on both ends of the court. He is going to be out there for the purpose of pushing people around. He is more than a physical inside presence though. Payne appears to have a solid range for his jump shot giving the Lobos a versatile inside outside player who will not take anything from anybody.
      Fans held their collective breath in anticipation of who the last scholarship would go to. One player was at the top of all lists. The additions to the inside game had been made, but Fran needed to sign a player with the potential to make an immediate impact down low. That player was Trinity Valley Community College center, 7' Moustapha Diagne. Though considered a work in progress by many, Diagne had a host of big name programs after him. In the end he signed with Fran Fraschilla and will be donning a cherry and silver uniform next year. Diagne gives the Lobos an athletic post who could develop into a formidable player down the line. Almost immediately he will make his presence known on the defensive end where his size alone will be a major asset. If this junior college player can keep out of foul trouble he will have a major impact for the Lobos next season.