Broncos sign two new recruits

BOISE, Idaho - Boise State men's basketball head coach Leon Rice announced the signing of two new recruits to National letters of Intent this past week.

On Wednesday Rice announced the signing of local standout Joey Nebeker to a National Letter of Intent and yesterday the Broncos signed international recruit Edmunds Dukulis.

"Edmonds is a great rebounder who has a very good understanding of how to play the game," Rice said. "He has a great motor and plays very hard. He played extremely well at the U19s this past summer against a high level of competition."

Dukulis, a 6-foot-9, 220-pound forward from Riga, Latvia, was a member of the Latvian U19 National Team that finished 10th at the U19 World Championships this past summer.

He ranked 10th at the U19s in scoring average (15.9), his field goal percentage (.541) ranked tied for seventh with current Bronco Anthony Drmic and his 9.5 rebounds per game ranked fourth.

Dukulis posted three double-doubles at the tournament, and scored in double figures in all but one of the games played (nine points against Russia). While playing against Drmic and Igor Hadziomerovic's Australian U19 team, Dukulis scored 20 points on 7-of-9 shooting - one of three 20-point outings at the tournament - and pulled down seven rebounds.

He is the second recruit signed by the Broncos during the past week, as Rice and staff also added 6-foot-7, 210-pound forward Joey Nebeker from Melba, Idaho.

Nebeker, a 6-foot-7, 210-pound forward from Melba, Idaho (Melba HS), was named Idaho's 2A State Player of the Year as a junior in 2010-11 and led head coach Bob Lenz's Mustangs to their first state championship.

Nebeker, who boasts a 4.0 grade-point average, also played for Clint Hordemann's Idaho Select AAU team.

"The character and work ethic that Joey possesses both on the court and in the classroom was extremely important to us, and it will propel him to a great career," Rice said. "He's a kid that is going to work hard every day to get better, and he will continue to improve.

"We really liked his scoring ability and feel for the game, and we were excited about the opportunity to recruit a high-level local player."

Last year Nebeker averaged 20 points, seven rebounds and three blocks per game. In the state title game, he recorded a double-double and blocked five shots.

Nebeker was also named first-team all-state and first-team All-Western Idaho Conference in leading Melba to a fourth-place finish at the state tournament as a sophomore. He averaged 20.3 points, 6.3 rebounds, 2.3 blocks and 2.0 assists per game, while shooting 48.8 percent from the floor and 46.7 percent from the 3-point line during the state tournament.

The Mustangs began their streak of three-consecutive appearances in the state tournament during Nebeker's freshman season