The Idaho Vandals men’s basketball program announced on Apr. 17 the signing of guard Nolan Newman-Gomez from Hesperia High School in California as part of its 2026 recruiting class.
Newman-Gomez, who stands at 6 feet 8 inches, is recognized for his scoring ability and rebounding skills. He led Hesperia to a CIF Southern Section Division 2 Championship, scoring a game-high 24 points in the semifinals against Mater Dei while matched up with Kansas commit Luke Barnett. During the regular season, he averaged 22 points and 13.2 rebounds per game over the first ten Mojave River League games, including a standout performance with 42 points and 20 rebounds against Apple Valley in January.
Head coach Alex Pribble said that Newman-Gomez brings significant talent to the team and is prepared for college-level competition. “Nolan is a true diamond in the rough, in the best way,” said Pribble. “He didn’t play AAU, so his exposure was limited, but he absolutely dominated at the high school level. He has a great skill set and is extremely versatile at 6’8. He is also the valedictorian of his high school class and has an incredible work ethic. We can’t wait to get Nolan up here and get to work!”
Newman-Gomez becomes the second high school recruit announced for Idaho’s class of 2026, joining TJ Wal from Canada.
The program encourages fans to follow updates about new additions to its roster through official channels.
