2013 New Mexico basketball recruiting: Cullen Neal to stay home

It was only a matter of time before Cullen Neal was going to join his father, Craig Neal, and become part of the 2013 class for the New Mexico Lobos. The younger Neal had a signed letter of intent to go play for St. Mary's, but the school is letting him out and letting him stay home and play for his father.

Neal is a highly rated guard out of Eldorado High who was rated in the Rivals top 150, and a three-star player. In his senior year he averaged 26.5 points per game, and should turn into a key player for New Mexico in the upcoming years.

Neal said the phone call he had to make to Randy Bennett was very difficult:

"This was hard because I love St. Mary's too," Neal said. "I called coach Bennett this morning and it was probably the hardest call I've ever had to make. He's one of my favorite guys and has been recruiting me since the 8th grade. It was real hard." 

Staying home allows Neal to play in front of his mom and siblings, which was a big deal to him. In the grand scheme of New Mexixo basketball this is a big get for the program, and it should allow them to stay at the top of the Mountain West with this addition.

With Neal on board with the 2013 class, New Mexico now has two more scholarships to give out.