brian wethers signs with cal

SoCalHoops Recruiting News

Cal Recap: Brian Wethers Signs LOI--(Nov. 16, 1998)

We certainly didn't mean to slight Brian Wethers (6'-5" Sr. SG/SF) from Murrieta Valley, but in looking back on our articles since the beginning of the early signing period, we realized that we'd forgotten to post up anything about his signing with Cal, which was announced by the University of California on Friday, November 13.

And as if you didn't know this already, we'll tell you again: Wethers is the second player from the LA Rockfish to sign with the Bears. Shantay Legans (5'-10" Sr. PG) from Goleta Dos Pueblos signed last Thursday. Cal is still expecting at least one more LOI from Nick Vander Laan (6'-10" Sr. C/PF) from Sacramento who is currently attending St. Thomas More Prep School in Connecticut. All three verballed a few months ago and they were all anticipated to sign during the early period. Cal is still working on one more Rockfish signing, pursuing Dalron Johnson (6'-9" Sr. PF) from Verbum Dei, but the word is that Dalron is leaning towards signing with UNLV.

Wethers was ranked among the Orange County Register's Fab 15, and was ranked as the No. 25 recruit in the country by Dave Benezra and Mark Mayemura of Recruiting USA, who also run the Rockfish teams and leagues; he was also rated No. 30 by FastBreak magazine. Other national ratings have come from PrepStar (#11 small forward), Van Coleman's Future Stars (#58 overall), Blue Ribbon College Basketball Yearbook (Top 44 All-America) and Clark Francis' Hoop Scoop (#53 overall).

According to the official press release issued by Cal, coach Ben Braun said, "We're excited about the abilities that Brian brings to our program. He is clearly one of the top wing players that we've seen. He has the ability to knock down three-point shots, get to the basket
and post up smaller guards. He fits into our style and our team in terms of his versatility."

Wethers averaged 22.6 ppg, 10.2 rpg, 2.7 spg and 2.5 apg at Murrieta Valley High School as a junior last season. A physical player
at 210 pounds, he shot 54 percent from the floor and was named league MVP last year. He chose Cal after considering schools such as
Michigan, USC, Connecticut, Kansas and North Carolina State.