Nevada hoops inks 2 recruits

University of Nevada men’s basketball coach David Carter announced Wednesday the signing of Eric Cooper, Jr. and Kaileb Rodriguez to National Letters of Intent to play for the Wolf Pack next season. Cooper is a 6-foot-4 point guard and Rodriguez is a 6-9 forward.

Cooper graduated from St. Anthony’s High School in Long Beach, Calif., last year and is attending IMG Academy, a prep school Bradenton, Fla., this season. He will have four years of eligibility to play for the Wolf Pack. In one season playing for his father, Anthony Sr., at SAHS he averaged 22.7 points, 2.2 assists and 5.5 rebounds. Prior to his time at SAHS he won two state titles in 2010 and 2011 at Lutheran High School in LaVerne, Calif. After two games at IMG he is averaging 15 points and four assists per game this season. He has made six-of-11 shots from behind the arc.

As a high school athlete, he was named to the Cal High Sports All-State freshman, sophomore and junior teams. His senior year he earned Cal High Sports All State Division IV honors. During his junior season was selected to All-CIF southern section, All-San Gabriel Valley and all-area first team. In his senior season he was selected to the All-CIF southern section, the Santa Fe League MVP, All-Santa Fe League and All-Long Beach Press Telegram.

“I’m very excited about Eric,” Carter said. “He will be a great addition to our backcourt next season after the graduation of two seniors. He is an excellent shooter and playmaker.”

Rodriguez redshirted the 2012-13 season at California and is playing this year at Sheridan College (Wyo.). He will have three seasons to play at Nevada.

He earned all-state honors at Thunder Ridge High School in Highlands Ranch, Colo., leading the Grizzlies to a 20-6 record. He averaged 11 points, seven rebounds, four blocks and three assists per game for a TRHS team that scored 50 points per game his senior season. The two-time All-5A player was selected to play in “The Show” Colorado All-Star game his senior year.

“Kaileb is a versatile player with the ability to score inside and outside,” Carter said. “We are glad we were able to sign him during the early period and look forward to him joining the team next season.”