Gary talks Lobos, Alford

Dairese Gary, a point guard out of Elkhart (Ind.) Concord High School, originally committed to Iowa, but when Steve Alford left the program for New Mexico, the recruit asked for his release and followed the coach. It has just become official — Gary is gong to New Mexico, and he signed his letter of intent on April 18 to wrap up the recruiting process…for a second time. New Mexico also beat out Western Michigan and Valparaiso, in addition to Iowa, for the tenth-ranked player in Indiana, according to Rivals.com.

"The reason I was going to Iowa was Coach Alford," he said. "I was going to Iowa to play for Coach, so when he left, there was no reason for me to stay."

Alford is not the only reason the talented 6-foot-1, 205-pound point guard chose New Mexico.

"The atmosphere there is really good," he said. "The people love the college there — we're their pro team."

Gary averaged 22.3 points as a junior, but he can do more than just score.

"I'm a physical point guard, and I can penetrate and find the open man or finish," he said. "I can also run the pick-and-roll with the big man, and either feed him the ball or score it myself."

He also considers himself a good shooter.

"I've been working on my shot the last couple of years," he said, "especially my mid-range jumper and my 3-point shot."

But he also knows he needs to work on some things to play in the MWC.

"I need to work hard and come into the season in condition," he said. "Then I just need to hit the open shot."

Gary also has some predictions on what type of team New Mexico will be with him running the point.

"A quick team, very athletic," he said. "We'll play unselfish basketball and be very intense defensively."

He also has an opinion on the MWC.

"The MWC is good competition," he said. "I want to show I can play in a conference that good."

The freshman-to-be has some goals for his four years at New Mexico.

"I want to make the tournament and get past the first round," he said. "And I want to win a conference championship."

Coach Alford and Gary are still deciding on when he will arrive on campus.

"We're still deciding on whether or not I will be going to summer school," he said. "It's really up to Coach."