The latest on Wendell McKines

In his second game at the Portsmouth Invitational Tournament, Wendell McKines went for 12 points and 14 rebounds in 31 minutes (6-19 shooting).

It was 16 and 10 (7-18 shooting) for McKines in game one.

Individual workouts with teams will carry much more weight but McKines is demonstrating his biggest strength (hitting the boards) and his weakness (getting clear shots -- once away from WAC defenders). But, in his favor, it's has to be hard to play with any sort of rhythm in a Portsmouth kind of setting.

It was a Big Wen night (and on Wednesday)

Wendell McKines' 24 points and 15 boards powered New Mexico State to a 78-57 win over Cal State Bakersfield last night but the big news was McKines going over 1,000 points and 1,000 rebounds in his career on the night.

Wendell versus Drew

It's Wendell McKines versus Drew Gordon tonight as New Mexico State hosts New Mexico in the second game of the season in this annual series.

Jason Groves of the Las Cruces Sun-News has the preview and some interesting background.

A video interview with Wendell McKines

Wendell McKines is the leader of the team this season at New Mexico State -- here's a six and a half minute video interview.

Big New Mexico State recruiting news

Wow.

Head here.

He's not a blue chipper but what potential. New Mexico State has a way with prospects having eligibility concerns.

Wendell McKines will have quite the mate in the middle this season.

Wendell McKines, on stage

No, we're not talking a basketball court here.

Check it out.

A Wendell McKines feature video

Here is a 10+ minute video featuring New Mexico State senior-to-be Wendell McKines. The former Richmond High star sat out this past season due to a broken foot.

An interview with Wendell McKines

Former Richmond High star Wendell McKines is entering his senior season at New Mexico State. Here's a YouTube video of him talking about the upcoming season, his number change and other matters.

A major tip o' the hat to Jason Groves, Las Cruces Sun-News.



Here is Wendell's Twitter account.

Remi Barry to New Mexico State

Remi Barry, late of Del Oro High, has given the nod to New Mexico State. The question remains -- when will he play?

Barry to New Mexico State
Adam Zagoria
ZagsBlog
August 18, 2010

Remi Barry has landed at New Mexico State.

A 6-foot-7 French native who was enrolled at Loomis (Calif.) Del Oro High, Barry chose that school because the WAC accepts non-qualifiers...

Go here for the remainder.

Go here for some background on Barry.

An interview with Wendell McKines

Wendell McKines is back on the court for New Mexico State and featured in this interview:

Willing and able: McKines happy to be back on court for NMSU
Jason Groves
Las Cruces Sun-News
12/22/2009

Perhaps more impressive than the 16 double-double games Wendell McKines posted on the basketball court last season, was his effort in the classroom during the 2009 fall semester.

In order to return to the basketball court, the New Mexico State junior power forward had to take 18 credit hours in the fall to even have a chance of suiting up for the Aggies this season. On Monday, the university eligibility committee met and cleared McKines for the rest of the season.

"My compliments go to Wendell for working so hard," said Aggies coach Marvin Menzies after McKines' debut in a 97-72 win over Alcorn State on Monday. "For him to take the load that he took and come out with the grades he did, that was a testament to his effort this semester."

According to NCAA eligibility requirements, athletes entering their third year need to pass six hours in the spring of 2009, they must pass 18 total hours in the 2009 academic year and they need to have completed 40 percent of credits toward their degree, which is roughly 52 credits after his sophomore season. McKines also needed an overall grade point average of 1.9. Each rule is independent of the others. After grades were reviewed last summer, McKines was ruled ineligible for the fall after falling short on one or more of those requirements...

Go here for the remainder.

Wendell McKines is back

Former Richmond High star Wendell McKines is back on the court for New Mexico State. Last night, he scored eight points, grabbed eight rebounds and notched six assists in 26 minutes against Alcorn State.

Jason Groves on the Aggies minus Wendell McKines & Troy Gillenwater

Jason Groves has something today on how New Mexico State will compensate for not having Wendell McKines and Troy Gillenwater available for at least the first semester. Apparently, it's not a lock that either will return for the second semester:

Aggies hope reinforcements step up with McKines, Gillenwater out
Jason Groves
Las Cruces Sun-News
10/18/2009

LAS CRUCES — With the absence of Wendell McKines and Troy Gillenwater for at least the first seven games of the 2009 season, there appears to be a gaping hole in the paint for the New Mexico State men's basketball team.

"My role is going to be more important this year than last year," said redshirt sophomore center Hamidu Rahman. "Troy is not going to be here and (former center) Chris (Gabriel) transferred. I'm going to be the most experienced guy so I'm going to have to step it up more."

Rahman is one of six players who will fill in at the power forward and center positions this year.

In a best case scenario for Aggies fans, Gillenwater and McKines will be eligible after the final day of classes on Dec. 11. McKines — the leading rebounder in the Western Athletic Conference a year ago — and Gillenwater could return to the lineup at UTEP on Dec. 13...

Go here for the remainder.

Wendell McKines is a blogger

Former Richmond High basketballer Wendell McKines has ventured into the on-line world.

Go here to access McKines new blog and initial entry.

Justin Standley to New Mexico State

Justin Standley
(photo by Dave Kiefer)

We aren't related to Justin Standley nor has he graced our wallets with greenbacks -- we offer this from the heart: it's is wonderful news to hear that he is heading to New Mexico State on a basketball scholarship.

Some may say that high school transfers are one of the seven signs of the apocalypse and the bane of basketball but consider how it worked for Standley.

Obviously, no one knows if he would have received the New Mexico State offer had he played and finished out high school at Amador Valley but having just one season of of varsity basketball experience (exposure) under his belt (due to injury) sure makes the move to McClymonds (a team that attracted many recruiters to a large number of games) appear to be quite the wise one.

But ultimately, it is who he is and what he did on and off the court that cinched landing a scholarship.

Everyone should be happy when good triumphs and it certainly did in this instance.