It was reported last week by Chris Karpman of ASUDevils.com that Corona Del Sol High School's 6-foot-6, 190-pound junior wing prospect Dane Kuiper was nearing a college decision. Karpman was right on target, as the ultra-talented incoming transfer from Alaska has made his college decision with a program in the Mountain West Conference.
Kuiper reported recently that he would like to get his decision over with during the month of July, and he did so on Sunday - giving a verbal commitment to the University of New Mexico and new head coach Craig Neal and his basketball staff.
Kuiper, while being very new to the state of Arizona, is currently regarded by our staff as the top overall prospect in Arizona's 2015 class. While several other prospects in the class look to be in consideration, Kuiper's early verbal commitment and his tremendous promise as a prospect make him my clear favorite for the top spot.
Kuiper chose to verbal to the Lobos despite receiving other scholarship offers early from such programs as Arizona State, Virginia, Cal, Creighton, San Diego State, Pepperdine, Portland, San Francisco, Northern Arizona and South Dakota State.
Kuiper is a transfer from outside the state of Arizona – coming from Wasilla, Alaska. Kuiper moved to Arizona in the spring and will attend two-time Division-I state champion Corona Del Sol High School next fall. A member of the state's 2015 class, Kuiper is one of the top young talents on the West Coast. Kuiper can score at all three levels - at and around the basket, from mid-range and he has a consistent, quick release 3-point shot, which can extend out past the college 3-point line if need be. He is also a very good offensive and defensive rebounder and finds open teammates in transition or in an offensive set to score easy points.
The thing that stands out most to me about Kuiper is his athleticism. He finishes extremely well around the rim and has a quick bounce off the floor in traffic, or alone on the fast break, which reminds me very much of Chase Budinger (former University of Arizona All-American and current NBA Minnesota Timberwolves player).
Kuiper is currently playing with one of the top club teams in Arizona - Arizona Power Black 16U. This 16U Power team features some of the top talent in the state of Arizona in Chaparral’s Brandon Hoffer and Kenzo Nudo, Cienega’s Terrence Johnson and middle-schooler Markus Howard.
Kuiper will team up with club teammates and top-rated 2014 prospects Casey Benson (University of Oregon commit) and Connor Macdougall (Arizona State commit) next season at Corona Del Sol. With the addition of Kuiper, Corona is my clear favorite to 3-peat as 5A State Basketball Champions, and will have a very strong season next year with minimal losses.
Congratulations to Kuiper and his family on this tremendous accomplishment from our staff here at Arizona Preps.