University of New Mexico men's basketball coach Steve Alford announced the signing of 6-10 forward Monquel Pegues to a National Letter of Intent today. Pegues (pronounced puh-GEESE), a 2007 NJCAA All-American, is the fourth recruit to sign an NLI in the spring signing period. He joins 6-1 guard Dairese Gary, 6-8 forward Johnnie Harris and 6-7 guard/forward Darington Hobson in the first recruiting class assembled by Alford.

Monquel Pegues • 6-10 • 255 • Forward • Wilson, N.C. • Cape Fear (N.C.) CC
Averaged 17.7 ppg and 7.1 rpg, shooting 55.2% from the floor and 69.5% from the FT line, for Cape Fear CC as a sophomore...earned NJCAA Division I honorable mention All-American honors as a sophomore...also named 1st team all-region 10 in 2006-07...averaged 10.4 ppg and 6.4 rpg, shooting 55.6% from the field, as a freshman at Cape Fear...leaves CFCC as the SeaDevils' all-time leader in career points, rebounds, blocks, free throws made and attempted and field goals made and attempted...a 2005 graduate of Fike High School in Wilson, N.C., Pegues averaged 13 ppg, 5 rpg and two blocks as a senior...rated a three-star recruit out of high school by Scout.com...PERSONAL: Born Jan. 3, 1987, Monquel is the son of Gail Speight and Willard Pegues...fill name is Willard Monquel Pegues.

Head Coach Steve Alford on Monquel Pegues:
"Obviously, getting a guy that is 6-9 or better helps to fill a hole in the middle. With Monquel signing we have added much-needed size to the roster. The thing we liked most about him is the fact that he works hard and has gotten better every year. We expect him to continue that hard work and improvement at New Mexico."

2007 New Mexico Men's Basketball Signees

Dairese Gary • 6-1 • 205 • Guard • Elkhart, Ind. • Concord HS
Two-time first team all-area selection from Concord High School in Elkhart, Ind., Gary was the first player to sign with New Mexico under new head coach Steve Alford...a three-star recruit rated the No. 28 point guard in the nation according to Scout.com...led Concord to a 13-7 record as a senior, scoring 21.8 ppg...also averaged 4.3 rebounds, 3.9 assists and 1.8 steals per game...shot 56.3% from the floor, 34.7% from 3-pt. range and 69.0% from the foul line...led the Northern Lakes Conference in scoring, posting 19.6 points per game in league action...scored 1,330 points in his high school career, ranking ninth all-time at Concord, the same high school that produced Shawn Kemp...led Concord to the sectional title as a junior with a 22-2 record, averaging 22.3 ppg, four rebounds and two assists...PERSONAL: Born Oct. 21, 1988, Gary is the son of Gregory and Dennise Gary....first name is pronounced da-REESE.

Head Coach Steve Alford on Dairese Gary
"We have been recruiting Dairese for three years. I like his toughness and the way he competes. He is a winner and has such an unselfish attitude. He is going to be a good combo guard for us. He really guards and I think getting somebody like that always benefits your program."

Johnnie Harris • 6-8 • 250 • Forward • Chicago, Ill. • Chipola (Fla.) College
All-conference forward from Chipola College in Mariana, Florida...averaged 7.3 ppg and 4.6 rpg for the Indians who posted a 33-3 record under head coach Greg Heiar...Chipola was ranked No. 1 in the nation for 10 weeks and was runner-up in the 2007 NJCAA Division I Tournament...scored 15 points and grabbed 11 rebounds in the national semifinals against Southern Idaho...averaged 7.9 ppg, 3.5 rpg and shot 75% from the field as a freshman for an Indians squad that finished 29-4 and was ranked No. 1 in the nation for seven weeks...2nd team Panhandle All-Conference as a freshman, winning the Coach's Award at the postseason banquet...prep standout at Chicago Vocational High School., where he was one of the top 100 players in Illinois as a senior in 2004-05...PERSONAL: Born Jan. 3, 1987.

Head Coach Steve Alford on Johnnie Harris
"Johnnie is a winner and does everything he can to help his team get better. He is a big kid inside who can guard the post and is a great finisher. He has great hands and footwork and gives us a presence inside that we need."

Darington Hobson • 6-7 • 190 • Guard/Forward • Las Vegas, Nev. • Decatur (Ill.) Christian
Rated a four-start recruit by Scout.com as the 25th best small forward in the country...averaged 19 points, 12 rebounds and seven assists for head coach Alan Huss at Decatur Christian High School in Decatur, Ill...listed as the 116th best prospect in the class of 2007 by Rivals.com...versatile player who can play the small forward, shooting guard or point guard position...was also being recruited by Kentucky...PERSONAL: Born Sept. 29, 1987.

Head Coach Steve Alford on Darington Hobson
"Darington gives us a highly touted recruit who can play different guard positions. He has a great feel for the game and is really focusing on being a point guard. He has the skills and ability to give us a lot of size at the guard position."