Wolf Pack scores California sleeper

Devonte Elliott ended his recruitment last week. The 6-foot-8, 210-pound forward from Paramount (Calif.) High School visited Nevada two weekends ago and decided he saw enough.

Elliott verbally committed to Nevada, citing academic reasons.

"I felt like they were the only staff that really put the effort in it to help me academically and help me get better as a student," Elliott said.

The three-star sleeper said he also strongly considered George Washington. The time spent in Reno was a huge selling point to stay in the West and play for Mark Fox, he said.

"It was beautiful. I loved it there," Elliott said.

Fox and staff have a great history with players like Elliott. The long and lanky forward is still very much a prospect at this stage of his development. Elliott averaged a modest 10 points, nine rebounds and 4.5 blocks per game as a junior. Elliott said he is looking forward to working with the team and getting better.

"They really want me to work hard and they want to help me get better with my jumper and things like that," Elliott said. "They never really blew me up. They were just real with me.

"I believe I can become a lot better once I get there and get on their strength program. I don't have to worry about their staff. I'm really comfortable with them. I know that they are going to make me a better player."

Elliott joins Steven Bjornstad and Mark McLaughlin in the 2009 recruiting class for Nevada.