BY DARRELL MOODY
Appeal Sports Writer
RENO " Two high-profile high school basketball players from Southern California are scheduled to visit the University of Nevada this weekend.
Derrick Williams, a 6-foot-8 forward from La Mirada High School, and Devonte Elliott, a 6-foot-9 forward from Paramount High School, will be in town according to the Rivals.com Web site.
Williams, who can play either small or power forward is receiving attention from San Diego, Santa Clara, Marquette and USC besides the Wolf Pack.
"He's pretty well rounded on and off the court," said Larry Kaupang, La MIrada head coach. "He seems to be getting better every day. He's 6-8 and 220, and he can play down low or outside. He's probably our best 3-point shooter. He does a good job of getting to the basket and getting to the foul line. At the defensive end he can be dominant at times. He has to work at doing that every night."
Kaupang said he hasn't gotten an indication of where Williams is leaning as of yet. He did say that Washington and Washington State appeared to have already filled their scholarship needs.
"That I'm aware of, Nevada has been recruiting him for the last three or four months," Kaupang said. "I know (he's interested in USC). I think he's looking at where can fit in the best. He wants to take a few visits so he can get a feel for the schools."
Elliott averaged 10 points and nine rebounds last year while blocking 4.5 shots a contest last season.
Alabama, Utah State, Utah, Michigan, Gonzaga, George Washington, UTEP and Fresno State are among the schools interested in the 195-pound Elliott.
Two other players on Nevada's watch list are 6-9 Hassan Whitehead from The Patterson School in North Carolina and 6-8 Colin Borchert from Mountain Ridge in Glendale, Arizona.
Patterson is receiving attention from Nevada, UNC-Charlotte and Auburn, while Borchert is being looked at by Nevada, Maryland, California, Kentucky, Nebraska, Oklahoma State and USC.