Eastern Washington men’s basketball adds four players

A month after making its first NCAA tournament appearance in 11 years, Eastern Washington’s men’s basketball team has bolstered its roster for another potential run.

The Eagles will add at least four new players next season, coach Jim Hayford said Wednesday on national letter of intent day.

“I believe we are putting together a team that will once again compete for a Big Sky Championship,” said Hayford, who’s adding two letter of intent signees, a transfer and a high school guard.

The two letter of intent signees are guard Ty Gibson from Issaquah, Washington, and forward Enrico “Rico” Nuno from Diablo Valley College in California. Nuno is a 2014 graduate of Half Moon Bay (California) High School and will be a sophomore next season at EWU.

Meanwhile, Australian forward Geremy McKay will transfer to EWU from the University of Albany, where he redshirted last year. McKay is from Melbourne, home to current Eagles Venky Jois and Felix Von Hofe. According to NCAA rules, he must sit out the 2015-16 season.

Also in the fold is guard Grant Gibb from Mark Morris High in Longview, Washington. He did not sign a letter of intent, but has been admitted and has confirmed his acceptance to attend EWU.

Here is a look at the newcomers:

• Gibson, a 6-foot-3, 190-pounder from Issaquah High, averaged 23.8 points and 7.5 rebounds to earn All-State and KingCo league MVP honors. He led the Eagles to a fourth-place finish in the State 4A tournament, and carries a 3.98 grade-point average.

• Nuno (6-8, 250) averaged 10 points and seven boards last year for Diablo Valley. “Rico is a unique combination of size and skill,” Hayford said. “He’s an outstanding passer and shooter from the perimeter, and does not shy away from interior physical post play.”

• McKay (6-7, 225) appeared in one game last year for Albany before redshirting. The 19-year-old played for the Under-18 Australian National Championship team in 2013.

• Gibb (6-5, 185) is a strong shooter, according to Hayford, who plans to redshirt Gibb “to add strength.” Gibb averaged 17.1 points and 7.2 rebounds last year for Mark Morris.

Hayford added that he may add one more player before next season.