John Denega
jdenega@uwyo.edu
Wyoming basketball will be losing senior guards Jerron Granberry and Nathan Sobey to graduation, redshirt freshman Keonte Vernon to Northern Arizona, and possibly redshirt junior guard Charles Hankerson Jr. depending on the outcome of his indefinite suspension.
The Cowboys have at least three scholarship positions opening up, and they already have a good mix of players coming in to fill the spots.
During the early signing period last November, Wyoming received verbal commitments from high school seniors Jonathon Barnes, Diontae Jones and Jeremy Lieberman.
The first recruit, Barnes, is a 6’10” 245-pound center from Parker, Colo. He plays AAU ball for the Colorado Hawks. He recently experienced a growth spurt that garnered him offers from the likes of Utah and Wichita State. He is currently ranked as the sixth best player out of Colorado by Rivals.com. This past season he averaged a near double-double with 15 points and 9.5 rebounds. He is a true center – a position Wyoming lacks – and has good size, both vertically and horizontally to come in and play immediately for the Pokes. He will fit well alongside junior forward Derek Cooke Jr. early next season while junior forward Larry Nance Jr. recovers from a torn ACL.
Turning down an offer from UCSB to sign with Wyoming, Jones is a 6’6” 185-pound forward out of Las Vegas. He plays AAU ball for the Las Vegas Prospect and is the number two recruit out of Nevada. His defensive mentality and prowess sparked head coach Larry Shyatt’s interest in him. He is a lengthy wing player, another position Wyoming has lacked this year. Due to his height and weight, he may need to redshirt his freshman year.
The final recruit, Lieberman, is a 6’1” 175-pound guard hailing from Calabasas, Calif. He plays AAU ball at BTI Pump N Run. Lieberman was ranked as the 26th best player out of California, earning him an offer he declined from San Diego. Lieberman is a skilled passer with a good shooting range. The Cowboys’ surplus of guards may give Lieberman the chance to redshirt in order to develop his skills further before his sophomore year.
This is the best recruiting class in Shyatt’s time at Wyoming. All three players have three star ratings at Rivals.com.
The results of redshirt junior guard Charles Hankerson Jr.’s indefinite suspension may open up another scholarship position. Wyoming should focus on a transfer or a JUCO transfer in the event of an available scholarship. Wyoming needs a good sized forward and a true center.
Although Wyoming is brining in a center in Barnes, it might be in Wyoming’s best interest to have a graduate transfer with one year of eligibility left who could come in right way to play alongside Cooke while Nance gets healthy.
Next season, Wyoming could have one of the best teams the program has seen in the last ten years. A veteran crew with a healthy Nance could compete for a conference crown and an NCAA Tournament berth.
The future is bright for Wyoming as Shyatt looks to build a strong program here in Laramie. The latest recruiting class is just further evidence of that.
