Bouldin picks up offer, one more on horizon

Coming off an impressive win versus Denver East, Thunder Ridge High School from Denver, Colo., sits atop the state rankings with a 12-2 record. Their top prospect Matt Bouldin, the No. 53 ranked player in the class of 2006, picked up an offer last week, and his coach Joe Ortiz thinks another offer will come next week for the 6-foot-5, 199-pound point guard.

"We were down nine at half to East, but ended up winning by seven," said Coach Ortiz. "We came out a little tight and had trouble guarding Dazzmond Thornton. He only ended up with ten points, but that was because he got in foul trouble.

"Matt played great for us and ended up with 21 points and 8 assists. It was only the second in-state loss for East in the past three years. Both of those losses were to us."

In another game since the East game, Bouldin did not play as well in front of New Mexico head coach Ritchie Mckay and Kansas assistant coach Joe Dooley, finishing with only 3 points and 7 assists, but New Mexico left Denver with an offer on the table for Bouldin.

"Matt had one of his worst games," said Ortiz. "All we can figure out is that he might have played tight since Kansas was here. But Coach McKay really liked him anyway and offered. Coach Dooley was nice and said that Coach Self likes to see a player play well and struggle. We gave him the Denver East tape, so hopefully they will like what they see on it."

Gonzaga, who like New Mexico is difficult to label a mid-major due to their high level of play, will pay a visit to Denver to watch Bouldin practice Wednesday of next week.

"Gonzaga will offer next week," said Ortiz. "At least that is my gut feeling. Coach Few is missing a practice to come in. Assistants have watched Matt, and one of their players who is from Colorado watched Matt recently and loved him. They say that the Gonzaga players have a great feel for the type of play and personality will fit in there, so I think that was a real selling point for the coaching staff."