Gorman’s Nick Blair finds college basketball home at Idaho

By Ray Brewer (contact)

Wednesday, April 1, 2015 | 2 p.m.

He’s considered one of the best dunkers in all of Las Vegas high school basketball.

But, as Nick Blair showed this past season in helping Bishop Gorman win its fourth straight state championship, the 6 foot 5 small forward’s game has blossomed into more than using his impressive vertical leap for a highlight-reel style plays in transition. He’s developed into a complete player.

Today, Blair committed to the University of Idaho basketball, finding his college home at a program he’s confident he’ll continue to progress in. He visited the school last weekend.

“I fit into their system,” Blair said. “With one of their players transferring out, that opens the door for me to play right away a freshman.”

Blair averaged 11 points and five rebounds per game as a senior in 2014-15, including 21 points in the state championship game against Palo Verde. He was part of the Sun’s preseason Super 7 team — the best seven players in Las Vegas before the season — as a senior.

A three-year varsity player at perennial power Gorman, Blair went from a role player as a sophomore to the Gaels’ best perimeter player. His talents started to show during his junior season, when he used that athleticism to score near the rim at the final buzzer against Findlay Prep to force overtime. Gorman prevailed in overtime for arguably its most significant win during Blair’s tenure.

“I showed I can do more than go dunk the ball,” he said.

Idaho was the lone Division I school to extend a scholarship. The spring signing period starts April 15.

Ray Brewer can be reached at 702-990-2662 or [email protected]. Follow Ray on Twitter at twitter.com/raybrewer21