New Zealand guard says he will play for Lobos
Quinn Clinton, a 17-year-old point guard who stars for the New Zealand junior national team, announced via
Twitter on Thursday afternoon that he will play for the Lobos.
The native of Christchurch, New Zealand, attended Wednesday’s Lobos basketball game, a
78-73 win over Fresno
State in the Mountain
West Conference opener for both teams, while on an official recruiting visit.
His tweet had “#GoLobos” with an image of a longer message that read: “I would like to thank my parents who have supported me every step throughout the process. Also to my brother, my friends, and all of my coaches who have helped me get this far. I am excited to announce that I will be attending the University of New Mexico next year and playing basketball for the Lobos!!”
Clinton’s primary recruiter was Lobos associate head coach Chris Harriman, who is from Australia. Clinton can not sign a National Letter of Intent until at least April as the early signing period for the Class of 2017 has already passed. Verbal commitments are not binding until a letter of intent is signed.
Earlier this month, Clinton hit a pair of 3-pointers in the final minute and a half for the New Zealand junior national team — the second to give the Junior Tall Blacks the lead for good — in a 57-51 upset win over Australia at the FIBA Under 18 Oceania Championships in Fiji.
He scored a team-high 14 points in the win, which was the first time a New Zealand junior squad had qualified for a FIBA World Championship event. The 6-foot-4 guard would add a much needed outside shooter to next season’s roster.