Baltimore high school senior makes verbal commitment to UNLV basketball team

Running an offense is what Daquan Cook says he does best, and he's showing an ability to make quick decisions, too.

The 6-foot-1-inch point guard from St. Frances High School in Baltimore listened to what UNLV coach Dave Rice had to say and responded Thursday with an oral commitment to play basketball for the Rebels.

Rice has five scholarships available for the class of 2012, and Cook is the first to commit.

"I like Coach Rice. He came to a lot of my games to watch me play, and I really got to know him," Cook said. "He told me some good things, so I'm going to run with it.

"I'm looking forward to the up-tempo style of basketball. That fits my style of play."

Cook, who is not ranked among the Rivals.com top 150 seniors, said he chose UNLV over offers from Washington, Maryland, Seton Hall, South Florida and Temple.

As a junior last season, Cook averaged about 21 points, seven rebounds and six assists to earn Baltimore Sun second-team All-Metro honors. He was named Most Valuable Player of the 16-and-under Super Showcase in Orlando, Fla., last July.

Cook's impressive performance in a recent tournament in Milwaukee, which Rice attended, indicated he would blossom into a high-profile recruit this summer. But instead of waiting for more offers, Cook said he was convinced he wanted to play for Rice in a fast-paced offense.

He is not playing in the AAU tournaments in Las Vegas this weekend but is planning an official visit to UNLV in the fall.

"I really wanted to get away from home, so that's a big part of it," Cook said. "I've been to the West coast a couple times and I like it out there."

The Rebels needed to fill a void at point guard with starter Oscar Bellfield entering his senior year.

Rice, who recruited Cook for only about three months, is seeing his future classes start to come into focus.

Bryce Jones, a 6-5 shooting guard, transferred from Southern California in May and will redshirt this season. Jones will have three years of eligibility remaining at UNLV, beginning with the 2012-13 season.

Chris Wood, a 6-8 junior forward from Palmdale, Calif., orally committed on July 1, and he will join the Rebels for the 2013-14 season.

Rice is actively recruiting several local prep standouts, including 6-7 senior forward Ben Carter from Bishop Gorman High. Carter is more likely to land at UNLV than his Gorman teammates Shabazz Muhammad and Rosco Allen.

■ NOTES -- Most of UNLV's 18-game nonconference schedule was reported in early June, but the final two opponents were announced Thursday. The Rebels will play Canisius on Nov. 17 at the Thomas & Mack Center and Cal State San Marcos, a first-year NAIA program, on Dec. 7 at Orleans Arena.

Contact reporter Matt Youmans at myoumans@reviewjournal.com or 702-387-2907.