Rebels net California basketball recruit

First-year UNLV basketball coach Dave Rice scored his first high school recruit Friday, and it came off an assist from assistant and former Rebels teammate Stacey Augmon.

Junior-to-be Chris Wood, a 6-foot-8-inch forward from Palmdale, Calif., orally committed to UNLV with plans to join the Rebels for the 2013-14 season.

A four-star recruit in the 2013 class by Scout.com, which ranks him ninth overall, Wood said he was sold on the new Rebels staff -- and the presence of Augmon sealed the deal after a campus visit last month.

"I wanted to get my decision out of the way," he said. "They're a young team, and I really like Stacey Augmon and Coach Rice. It will be fun to work with them."

He also said living about a four-hour drive from Las Vegas played a role in his decision.

Wood, who doesn't turn 16 until Sept. 27, said he's a good 3-point shooter and plays solidly inside but needs to improve his driving and rebounding.

As a sophomore last year at Palmdale's William J. Knight High School, the right-handed shooter broke his left wrist diving for a ball early in the season and only played in the last three games.

The lanky 180-pounder showed enough talent, though, to be invited to join the Southern California All-Stars AAU team in the spring. Rebels fans will get a chance to watch Wood play in the Super 64 tournament at various Southern Nevada high schools from July 22 to 26.

Derek Stewart, Wood's uncle and guardian, said Augmon is a longtime friend of Kenny Story, who coaches and runs Wood's AAU team.

"Kenny told us about UNLV, and we went up for an unofficial visit in June," Stewart said. "It was just the right time and the right people. UNLV is an awesome school with a lot of tradition.

"We fell in love with Dave Rice and his staff."

And Augmon was a key factor.

"Stacey wants to be a mentor for Chris," Stewart said. "They're both wingmen, and Stacy worked with (NBA players) Carmelo Anthony and J.R. Smith in the pros. Stacey will be good for Chris on and off the court."

Wood might be visible in Las Vegas beginning in the fall. Stewart said he and Wood's mother, Jeanette Wood, might enroll him at Findlay Prep.

"We're looking at options that will be the best for Chris," Stewart said. "Findlay Prep is one of the things we're considering, but nothing has been set in stone."

Contact reporter Jeff Wolf at jwolf@reviewjournal.com or 702-383-0247. Reporter Matt Youmans contributed to this report.