RECRUITING: Gorman’s Blair finds right fit with Idaho

Nick Blair could have played on the travel basketball circuit this spring and tried to earn a scholarship offer from a high-major school.

But after making an official visit to Idaho this past weekend, the Bishop Gorman senior knew there was no need to wait.

Blair, a 6-foot-5-inch wing known for his high-flying dunks, made an oral commitment to Idaho on Tuesday. The first day Blair can sign a letter of intent is April 15, and the Vandals’ coaches cannot comment until that time.

Blair originally announced his decision on Twitter.

“At the time, there was temptation to play through the spring and see what happens,” Blair said. “But Idaho was recruiting me for quite some time and they’ve seen me play. Plus with the timing and my schedule … I would have had to rush my decision, and I feel comfortable with Idaho.”

Blair, a third-team all-state selection, averaged 9.5 points, 7.2 rebounds, 2.2 assists, 1.3 steals and 1.1 blocked shots as a senior and helped the Gaels (27-6) earn their fourth consecutive large-school state title. He had 21 points, 11 rebounds and three steals in a 74-54 victory over Palo Verde in the Division I state final in February.

Blair’s most notable career highlights have been on dunks, including a tomahawk jam over a helpless Reno High defender at the end of the first half of a 2014 Division I state semifinal.

“Nick is known for being such a good athlete, and he’ll be one of the better athletes in (the Big Sky) Conference,” Gorman coach Grant Rice said. “Nick did a lot of little glue things to propel us to the state championship. He was as good as anyone we had the last month of the season. He took his game up another level.”

Blair is a three-star recruit by Rivals.com and said he also had interest from Northern Colorado and Portland before choosing the Vandals. Blair is expected to earn immediate playing time for Idaho, which finished 13-17 overall under seventh-year coach Don Verlin.

“Being able to come in right away to a college system and contribute is definitely something that appealed to me,” Blair said. “It’s a little different than Vegas, but I can see myself there and be OK for four years. It was a family thing, too. I talked it over with my mom, my dad … everybody felt good about it and felt like it was a good move for me.”