‘09 Hoops Board
2009 Nevada Hoops Big Board
Click on the photo for a video of the 2008-09 Nevada Basketball Season
The Players
Devonte Elliott – 6-foot-10, 215-pound Power Forward
Paramount (Calif.) – Paramount High School
- When you talk about long, rangy athletes, Elliott is prototype. He’s got a huge wingspan that could spread somewhere into the 7′4 range. Offensively, he can score inside-and-out. He does lack polish, and it’ll take him some time to find his game at the D-1 level. But he’s an advanced shot-blocker with a great stroke, and he’ll bring a much-needed prospect to the Nevada frontcourt. Although he signed in the 2009 class, Elliott will sit out the 2009-10 season while he improves his academic profile and adds more weight. He should be admitted at the mid-semester point.
Patrick Nyeko – 6-foot-6, 180-pound Wing
London (England) via Seattle Prep HS
- Originally from London, Nyeko is quite a story. He developed under a number of coaches, including the great Joe White during his youth, and originally came to the states prior to his freshman year of high school in Wisconsin. After two years there Nyeko made the move to Seattle Prep. He’s a big-time athlete that is very versatile, and though his defensive skills are further advanced than his offense, he’ll be a part of the rotation as soon as his freshman year.
Malik Story – 6-foot-5, 225-pound Small Forward
Pasadena (Calif.) transfer via Indiana University
- A very talented player that bounced around quite a few different high school programs in both Southern California, and then prep schools, Story has found a home in Reno. He already has a year of Division 1 experience at Indiana, where he was a fan favorite for his hustle and timely scoring. He’ll sit out the 2009-10 season as a transfer, but be eligible to play starting as a sophomore in time for the 2010-11 season.
Jerry Evans – 6-foot-6, 220-pound Small Forward
Los Angeles (Calif.) – Leuzinger High School
- Evans is a long combo-forward who can defend just about any type of player on the court. He has good foot-speed and can keep up with guards, but the strength to also body taller players down low. He’s also got a nice jumper and has a terrific understanding of how to play the game. Evans come from a program that has developed a number of talented players, including former UCLA and current NBA standout Russell Westbrook. Like Elliott, Evans will sit out the 2009-10 season to work on both his academics and core strength. He’ll play for the Pack during the 2010-11 season as a freshman.
Marko Cukic – 6-foot-9, 240-pound Power Forward
Belgrade (Serbia) via IMG Academy
- Originally from the beautiful city of Belgrade (Serbia), Cukic came to the United States prior to his senior year in an effort to get transitioned better for college basketball. Although he had some interest after leaving Greensburg (Penn.) Central Catholic High School, Cukic spent a full season at basketball powerhouse and training center IMG Academy in an effort to bigger and stronger. It worked, as he went from a 6-foot-7, 210-pound prospect to 6-foot-9, 240-pounds in just over one season. He also became a better player and was noticed by David Carter during one of the current Nevada head coaches recruiting trips to IMG over a year ago. Although Coach Carter came to scout a different player, he walked away impressed with the Cukic’s game, plus his 3.7 overall GPA. He’ll play as a true freshman for Nevada during the 2009-10 season.
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