Huskers Announce Basketball Recruiting Class

Lincoln - University of Nebraska basketball coach Doc Sadler announced Thursday that three high school seniors have signed National Letters-of-Intent to attend the University of Nebraska next season. The incoming class includes point guard Corey Hilliard Jr. (Raytown, Mo.) and wing players Josiah Moore (Norcross, Ga.) and David Rivers (Little Rock, Ark.).

For Sadler, the emphasis in this class was to add size and athleticism to the Huskers' backcourt, while all three players have enjoyed success at the high school or AAU levels, and Sadler hopes that can translate to the next level.

"The guys we lose in our program after this season are perimeter players, and I think this group may be one of the most athletic classes we have had since I've been at Nebraska," Sadler said. "The thing I like about all three players is they have a great feel for the game and that is something that comes instinctively. As I told the guys in the recruiting process, it's a great opportunity to come into our program. Nebraska basketball is in a situation where a lot of good things are happening, and we have a lot of good pieces already in place to be successful.

"The other thing that goes unnoticed sometimes is that you want players who are used to winning and expect to win every time they step on the court. All three players are on teams that could win state championships this season and have an understanding of what it takes to be successful."

Name	Ht.	Wt.	Hometown	(High School)
Corey Hilliard Jr.	6-1	175	Raytown, Mo.	South
Josiah Moore	6-5	200	Norcross, Ga.	Norcross
David Rivers	6-7	180	Little Rock, Ark.	Hall

Hilliard is one of the top seniors in the Kansas City metro area playing for Coach Brad Oestreich at Raytown South High School, one of the top basketball programs in the region. The 6-foot-1, 175-pound guard is a three-star selection by both Rivals.com and Scout.com and rated as the No.52 point guard nationally by ESPN.com. A two-year starter, he was named district MVP as a junior, averaging 15.0 points, 4.5 assists, 2.8 rebounds and 1.7 steals per game in helping Raytown South to a 21-7 record. He reached double figures in 19 contests, including a season-high 23 points against Raytown High, and had single-game bests of seven assists, and six steals during his junior season. He moved into the starting lineup as a sophomore, averaging 10.8 points, 3.0 assists and 3.4 rebounds per game to earn first-team all-conference honors. Hilliard spent the summer playing for the Kansas City Pump 'N Run team and Coach LJ Goolsby, winning four tournament titles on the AAU circuit. Prior to joining the Kansas City Pump 'N Run program, he played for Coach Nodie Newton in the Kansas City Truth AAU program. He chose Nebraska over Missouri State, Wichita State, Creighton, Tulane and Southern Illinois while also drawing interest by Kansas State, Missouri and Baylor. He is the son of Corey and Vernetta Hilliard.

"We made a conscious effort to get a point guard in this class, and Corey fills a valuable need for us," Sadler said. "He has a good understanding of how to run a team from that spot, and also has the size and athleticism we were looking for. In the style we want to play, you have to be able to defend the other point guard and Corey has shown the ability to do that."

"I had a good relationship with the coaches, and when I took my visit, it felt like home," Hilliard said. "It was a good fit for me because it was close to home and a place where I felt like I could come in and play as a freshman."

Moore is an athletic wing player who plays for one of the nation's top high school basketball programs at Norcross (Ga.) High School. The Blue Devils, coached by Jesse McMillan, are ranked eighth nationally in MaxPreps preseason top-25 and feature three seniors signing National Letters-of-Intent with Division I schools in the fall signing period. The 6-foot-5, 200-pound Moore is rated the No. 61 shooting guard in the country by ESPN and a three-star prospect by Rivals.com while also being rated as the overall No. 15 prospect in Georgia, regardless of position, by Scout.com. He was chosen for the Preseason Atlanta Tip-Off Club All-Metro Team earlier this month. As a junior, he averaged 9.3 points, 5.3 rebounds and 1.2 assists per game to help Norcross to a 27-3 record and an Elite appearance in Class AAAAA (largest class in the state) before losing to eventual state champion Milton, 53-52. He was second on the squad in rebounds and served as the team's defensive stopper. He played AAU ball for the Worldwide Renegades and Coach Ryan Falker. Moore looked at South Florida, St. John's, Auburn, Western Kentucky and Wichita State among others before selecting Nebraska. Josiah is originally from Oakville, Ontario, and is the son of Laura Nero.

"The things that stand out when you see Josiah play is his size and his ability to shoot the basketball," Sadler said. "He has a lot of athleticism as well as a very good understanding of how to play and comes from one of the best programs in the state of Georgia."

"It was the best fit," Moore said. "Coach Sadler was very laid back and the academic support the players have is very impressive. I think it will be a good opportunity to play my freshman year and against very good competition every night."

Rivers is another athletic wing player with a winning background, as he comes from Hall High School in Little Rock, Ark. Rivers was rated as the No. 46 small forward in the country by ESPN and is a three-star pick by both Rivals.com and Scout.com. He is also ranked among the top 150 prospects in the country by various scouting services, while Hall High School enters the 2010-11 season ranked in the ESPN Rise Powerade Fab 50. As a junior, the 6-foot-7, 180-pounder averaged 14 points, six rebounds and three blocks per game, leading Hall High School to a 28-3 record and a Class 6A state title. A first-team all-state selection, Rivers had 12 points, seven rebounds and five assists in a 64-59 win over West Memphis in the Class 6A state title game. He had four games with at least 20 points as a junior, including a season-high 26 points against Jacksonville. He played AAU ball with the Arkansas' Wings and Coach Ron Crawford, helping the 17-and-under team to the 2010 AAU National Championship in Orlando, as well as the Best Buy Classic in Minneapolis in 2010. Rivers, who has started since midway through his freshman year, is a two-time all-conference performer and has helped Hall High School win a pair of state titles (2008 and 2010) and earn a runner-up finish (2009). He was recruited by Clemson, Wichita State, UTEP and Tulane among others. David is the son of Ezelle and Phillis Rivers. Ezelle Rivers played collegiately at UALR from 1982 to 1985.

"David may be the most athletic player in this class for us," Sadler said. "He has good size and will only get stronger once he gets to Nebraska. He comes from a basketball family, and Little Rock Hall is annually one of the top programs in Arkansas, so we know he will be well coached. The other thing you notice about David is that he plays extremely hard on every possession."

"It felt like home when I visited," Rivers said. "I had built a good relationship with the coaches, and I liked the style of play, as well as the plans for the new practice facility and arena."