Utah State's succesfull run through the WAC Tournament was enough for Ben Clifford to make good on a decision he said he had made a couple weeks ago.

The 6-foot-8 junior from Bingham High told Aggie coach Stew Morrill he would play for USU after his high school playing days conclude.

"They're a great place for me," Clifford told the Deseret News Sunday night. "It's close to home, but not too close to home. I had already decided to go there a couple of weeks ago, but with them making the (NCAA) tournament it's just a bonus."

Clifford led the Miners with 14.04 points per game this season as Bingham enjoyed a 17-7 year before losing to Lone Peak in the 5A semifinals.

Helping make his decision easier, Clifford went to his brother Jon, who played at Snow College and Southern Utah the past four seasons.

"He was the first person I asked and talked to," Ben Clifford said. "From Day one, he told me I should go up to Utah State."

Clifford said he had offers on the table from a couple of other schools and was being recruited by Utah, Weber State and Portland.

E-mail: jeborn@desnews.com