First day of signing period mostly quiet around league

Steve Addy

Thursday, April 12, 2001 | 10:08 a.m.

Mountain West basketball teams did most of their recruiting in November, so the first day of the spring signing period didn't produce much action.

UNLV didn't sign anybody Wednesday, nor did four other MWC teams, and Air Force released no names as usual.

Only San Diego State and New Mexico received letters of intent, and like UNLV both schools hope to add junior college big men in the coming days.

After signing no one in November, San Diego State inked 6-foot-7 forward Trimaine Davis from Pittsburg (Calif.) High School and 6-4 guard Tommy Johnson, who starred at Crenshaw High in Los Angeles last year.

But the Aztecs' big prize is likely to be 6-9 center Mike Mackell from Porterville (Calif.) JC, whom UNLV recruited under Bill Bayno. The Aztecs are regarded as runaway leaders for Mackell (over Oklahoma State and Pitt) and he is expected to sign next week.

UNLV also showed interest in Davis, who averaged 21 points and 15 rebounds this season, but has yet to meet NCAA academic standards. Pittsburg High coach Derek Dominichelli told the Contra Costa Times that Davis turned down a UNLV offer this month.

Johnson committed to Washington State in 1999, but didn't qualify academically and never enrolled in college. Coming out of Crenshaw, he was regarded as the top prep shooting guard on the West Coast.

New Mexico gained a commitment and lost one Wednesday. Coach Fran Fraschilla signed 6-2 guard Mark Walters from Highland High in Albuquerque, a likely redshirt next season, but lost Juco forward Jamal Brown to TCU.

Brown, from Seward County (Kan.) CC, had given the Lobos an oral commitment last year. He was also recruited by the Rebels, but crossed off UNLV when Good wasn't hired as the permanent coach. Brown played under Good at Maine Central Institute in 1999.

New Mexico still wants to sign two Juco big men. Mike Hayes (6-8, 245) from Cowley (Kan.) CC is being targeted by the Lobos and UNLV. He will visit Albuquerque next week, but it's unknown if the Rebels have secured a visit.

In November, New Mexico got signatures from two high school players: 6-11 center Chad Bell from Los Angeles and 6-6 forward Jamaal Williams from Corona, Calif. Guard Senque Carey, a transfer from the University of Washington, will also be eligible.

Though things were quiet at UNLV on Wednesday, the Rebels are working the phones to pursue Juco big men. They have scheduled an official visit from 6-9 forward Jamal Holden, an early signee with Texas Tech who will be released from his letter of intent.

UNLV coach Charlie Spoonhour is also awaiting word from November signee Ernest Turner, a 6-2 shooting guard from Somerdale, N.J. Indications are that he will re-commit to the Rebels this week. Marcus Banks, a 6-1 point guard from Las Vegas and Dixie College, did so on Tuesday.