CANYON, Texas – West Texas A&M Head Men's Basketball Coach Tom Brown has announced the addition of Aurora, Colorado native Gaige Prim for the 2017-18 campaign. Prim joins Sterling White, Gach Gach and CJ Jennings as the first four members of the 2017 signing class following WT's run to the NCAA South Central Regional and Sweet 16 Appearance.
 
"Gaige is a player that we are very excited to add to our team for 17-18. He is student-athlete that has a very strong work ethic and a commitment to getting better. Offensively, Gaige can play with his back to the basket as he has great touch around the bucket" said Brown "Gaige also has the ability to step out to 15 feet, where he can make the right pass or knock down the shot. Defensively, he can defend in the post as well as step out to defend on ball screens. He is active on both ends of the court and has great communication skills for a high school player. He also runs the floor as he can get up and down the court."
 
The 6'7 forward comes to Canyon from Grandview High School in Aurora, Colorado where he averaged 17 points, 10 rebounds and four blocks per contest as a senior for the Wolves under head coach Michael Rogers. Prim shot 70% from the floor and 70% from the free throw line last season for the Wolves, leading the team to an overall record of 21-6 with an appearance in the Colorado Elite 8. Prim was a 1^st Team All-League selection as a senior while being named 2^nd Team All-State and 1^st Team All-City. As a junior in 2015-16, Prim averaged 14 points and eight rebounds per game for the Wolves, being named 2^nd Team All-League and leading GHS to the Colorado Sweet 16.
 
"Gaige is a strong young man for a high school senior and with a big summer he will be able to play right away for us next season. It is going to be fun to be able to work with him and advance his game" added Brown "Coach Henderson and the rest of our staff worked hard in the recruitment of Gaige Prim. Gaige is a young man with a bright future and it was alot of fun to recruit him."
 
The Buffaloes are coming off the program's second ever appearance in the Division II Sweet 16 as they finished the season 26-9 overall with a 12-6 mark in Lone Star Conference play. The 26 victories this past season is the most since the 1997-98 campaign. Brown recently concluded his third season at the helm of the Buffs, holding a career record of 64-31 (.674) and guiding WT to their first NCAA Tournament appearance in five years and 14^th overall. Brown now holds a mark of 24-9 in the NCAA Tournament during his career while matching the WT record for postseason wins in a season (two) to move the Buffs' overall tournament record to 7-16.