BYU basketball: Vegas 'sleeper' verbally commits to BYU

PROVO — Anson Winder, an up-and-coming shooting guard from Bishop Gorman High in Las Vegas, has verbally committed to play for the BYU Cougars next season.

Winder, at 6-foot-3, will join Provo High's Kyle Collinsworth in signing with the Cougars on Nov. 11, the first day of the early signing period.

"When I visited BYU with my dad (on Oct. 24) and we met the players, we saw a team that is very close. We also liked the facilities and feel like coach (Dave) Rose is one of the best coaches in the country. So we quickly realized it was the best place for me," Winder said on Thursday.

Playing for Grant Rice, brother of BYU assistant Dave Rice, Winder averaged 12.5 points, 7.5 rebounds and three assists per game as a junior for the Gaels last season. In tournaments this past summer, however, he had games of 40 and 34 points.

Initially, BYU will use Winder at the 2 position, but might eventually move him to the point.

"I think I'm athletic, a really good driver to the basket and can create. If I work hard on my ball handling and decisions, I'll be a lot more balanced in my game," Winder said.

Grant Rice said Winder should be a good fit for the Cougars and should have a bright career at BYU and playing in the Mountain West Conference.

"Anson is a versatile combo guard who can shoot the ball, but can also get to the rim. He excels in transition and on the defensive side of the ball. He is a great kid on and off the floor. Good student and good role model on campus," Rice said.

Winder also had offers from Idaho and Nevada, and was getting interest from Portland and UC Riverside. He has a one-star rating from Scout.com and a ranking of 75 from ESPN.

"Winder possesses a nice frame with long arms and overall solid length for the 2-guard position. He is a Division I sleeper who needs some polish in terms of skill development. … Winder has the tools; he just needs to mature as a player in both skill and savvy," ESPN wrote in its evaluation of Winder.

e-mail: jimr@desnews.com