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It looks like the word about the rise of Nevada basketball is beginning to spread.
After winning 24 games in their first season under new head coach Eric Musselman, capped off by a CBI Championship, Nevada has suddenly become a landing spot for some of the country's most heralded talents. On Wednesday morning, the influx of talent to Reno continued.
Iowa State transfer guard Hallice Cooke announced his commitment to the Wolf Pack, via a post on his Instagram account. Captioned with the saying "3X a charm!", Cooke has now made Nevada his third different school since committing to Oregon State out of high school in 2013.
Cooke announced his intention to transfer out of Iowa State just over a week ago and there were no early indications of where the former Big 12 guard might end up. He visited the Nevada campus over the weekend, which seemed to be the clinching factor in securing his commitment. Cooke left the Cyclones after averaging just 2.6 points per game in under 11 minutes of action per night this past season.
Due to NCAA transfer rules, Cooke is expected to sit out of the 2016-2017 season and have just one remaining year of eligibility for the 2017-2018 season.
However, he is expected to appeal the NCAA for another season of eligibility due to his time lost between transferring and recovery from a 2014 hip cartilage surgery. The 6' 3" guard has already used his redshirt season, further complicating the process.
The news of Cooke's transfer is another step in the right direction for a Wolf Pack program that has grown by leaps and bounds in just one season. In addition to Cooke joining the Nevada program, Purdue transfer Kendall Stephens is also said to be seriously considering the Wolf Pack as well. Stephens is expected to visit the Nevada campus this upcoming weekend.