DENTON, Texas – HoopScoopOnline.com rated this year’s North Texas men’s basketball recruiting class as the nation’s 28th best. Head coach Tony Benford laid the foundation of that class on Wednesday with the signings of Seguin’s Greg Wesley and Kingwood’s Josh Friar to National Letters of Intent.
“We are losing a ton of talent in the paint after this season,” Benford said. “Our goal with this class was to address that need, and I think we’ve found the perfect combination of size and athleticism. I couldn’t be happier to have Greg and Josh on board, and we look forward to welcoming them into the Mean Green family.”
North Texas, coming off a 74-59 win over Lamar in the NIT Season Tip-Off, will host Cameron its home opener on Friday at 7 p.m. The Mean Green has averaged 21 wins per season over the last six years, and features Preseason All-American Tony Mitchell. Wednesday marked the begining of the fall signing period, which runs through Nov. 21.
Greg Wesley – 6-7, F, Arlington, Texas (Seguin HS)
A dynamic forward with scoring touch and a knack for rebounding, Wesley ranks No. 17 on TexasHoops.com’s list of the top players from the state in the class of 2013. Scout.com rated Wesley a three-star recruit after he averaged 14.0 points and 6.2 rebounds for Seguin last season en route to a first-team All-District 7-4A pick. Wesley chose the Mean Green over offers from Kansas State, Oklahoma State, Arkansas, TCU, SMU, New Mexico State and Louisiana-Lafayette.
- Benford: “I think Greg Wesley is the best athlete that this program has seen outside of Tony Mitchell. He can get out and run in transition, yet is a versatile paint defender and scorer. He’s what I like to call a ‘switchable’ in that he can play inside and outside with ease.”
Josh Friar – 6-8, F, Houston, Texas (Kingwood HS)
A physical presence on the low block, Friar possesses a “high-major” body and potential skills that have him rated by Rivals.com as a three-star recruit. ESPN.com called Friar one of the “Surprise Players” of the 2011 Super 16 Camp in Houston, which drew scholarship offers from Auburn, UT Arlington, Long Island, New Orleans and Southern despite limited experience on the court for Kingwood High School.
- Benford: “I think Josh is the sleeper in this group of talented guys that we are bringing in this year. With his frame and potential I think he is a legit high-major player. He is also an asset on the defensive end of the floor and can really score in the low post.”
