DeCuire signs three prep standouts to NLIs

FALLS HIGHLIGHTS | NICHOLAS HIGHLIGHTS | KRAMER HIGHLIGHTS

Montana men's head basketball coach Travis DeCuire likes to work in the long term. He's surrounded himself with coaches and players he has forged long relationships with, some dating back to his early coaching years.

Long relationships have once again paid off for UM's third-year head coach, signing a trio of prep standouts to National Letters of Intent to play for the Griz next season, filling his coffers with size and the ability to score.

Joining DeCuire's Grizzlies are 6-2 shooting guard Timmy Falls from Dublin, Calif., Karl Nicholas, a 6-7 power forward from Pearland, Texas, and Kelby Kramer, a 6-10 center from Rock Springs, Wyo., each bringing the element of length to Dahlberg Arena.

DeCuire's relationship with Falls dates back to the Bay Area native's sophomore year when UM's then-first year coach saw him play at a tournament in Dallas and struck up the conversation about playing for the Griz.

"Our goal is to identify talent when other schools are identifying a different class," says DeCuire. "I think we're getting on kids early there and we've got strong relationships in those areas. Timmy is a result of that."

The early gamble paid off for the Griz too. Since watching Falls develop through the years, DeCuire has seen him mature into a player built to score, a player that can put the ball on the floor get to the basket and make plays. Not just any play, though. For DeCuire, Falls makes the right play for the situation.

"His feeling and IQ were there early as a sophomore. Now that he's grown and developed into a more polished basketball player those instincts are still there; that feel is still there," adds DeCuire.

Falls, rated as a two-star prospect out of Dublin High School by recruiting site Scout.com, chose Montana over other offers from San Jose State and Weber State, largely because of the deep relationship formed with the Grizzly staff.

"I felt like they really cared about me and would call me a lot and ask how I'm doing. They weren't just trying to get a player; they were trying to build a relationship with me, even if I committed somewhere else," said Falls.

Falls made his first trip to Missoula as a junior when the UM football team defeated North Dakota State to open the 2015 season. He says the atmosphere surrounding Grizzly Athletics he saw that weekend made his choice even easier.

"I just loved the campus and loved the support from the community. I looked at the team and saw who was coming in and who they were recruiting, their style of play and it just all fit what I wanted to do in my college career."

Help @CoachDeCuire welcome Timmy Falls to the #GrizHoops family!#WeAreMT pic.twitter.com/lwEEEeiw2O
— UM Griz Basketball (@UMGRIZZLIES_BB) November 10, 2016

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Karl Nicholas caught the eye of Montana assistant coach Chris Cobb at a Christmas tournament in Southern California last year with his long, athletic body, hustle, rebounding and defense in the post.

Nicholas is UM's first-ever player from the state of Texas, and since forming a relationship, the Montana staff believes he'll make an impact on and off the court.

"He's a high-level athlete, high motor, plays hard, competes for every ball, and has the ability to step in and be a good defender for us right away, and be a good finisher for us right away with a ton of upside," adds DeCuire. "We're excited to add him to our family as a player, a student, and as a person."

At 6-foot-7, the two-star prospect and Texas District 22-6A MVP from Glenda Dawson high school south of Houston will add depth and athleticism to the post for the Griz, complimenting UM's returning big men Fabijan Krslovic, Jamar Akoh, and Alphonso Anderson with an above-the-rim attacking ability.

"Rebounding, hedging ball screens and being athletic away from the rim. As a post player, those are things I think he'll be special with," adds DeCuire.

Nicholas' highlights show a big body that plays fast, accurate and energetic, wowing viewers with a fast-break ability and high-flying dunks. That sort of athleticism led to interest from programs at Sam Houston State, Lamar, Wofford, and Louisiana-Lafayette.

@CoachDeCuire welcomes Karl Nicholas to the #GrizHoops family!#GoGriz pic.twitter.com/AzpyWeiwZx
— UM Griz Basketball (@UMGRIZZLIES_BB) November 10, 2016

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Already checking in at 6-10, 220 pounds at just 17 years old, Kelby Kramer isn't even done growing and is already the Grizzly's tallest player. The two-star prospect out of Rock Spring, Wyoming led class 4A in blocks-per-game as a junior and will provide Montana a true presence at center.

Kramer also comes from a Montana basketball lineage, with both parents playing collegiate ball in the Treasure State. His dad played at Montana Tech in Butte, and his mother played at Rocky Mountain College in Billings.

Also a top-four finisher at the Wyoming state tennis tournament, Kramer has impressed the Montana coaches with his mobility, and in the classroom, he's impressed with a 3.9 GPA. Another hallmark of DeCuire's Grizzlies.

"He's competitive," added DeCuire. "Any time you can finish in the top four of your state in any one-on-one sport shows there is a competitive streak in you.

"He's someone that provides balance on and off the court which is what we want to have. I think he fits the direction we're going with this program and we look forward to having an opportunity to help him develop," added DeCuire.

Kramer visited Missoula in October to take in the maroon and silver scrimmage and a UM football game as well and was sold on the environment on the Montana campus.

"It's great to be able to represent Montana and what they're all about," said Kramer. "Athletics get great support there, the campus is awesome, a great coaching staff and they have great players both on and off the court. You don't get that in many other places."

Montana opens the 2016-17 season on Nov. 11 against USC in Los Angeles, followed by the home opener against Wyoming on Nov. 14 at Dahlberg Arena. Tickets are available at GrizTix.com or by calling 1-888-MONTANA.

@CoachDeCuire welcomes Kelby Kramer to the #GrizHoops family!#GoGriz pic.twitter.com/dAQAIJ6WGF
— UM Griz Basketball (@UMGRIZZLIES_BB) November 9, 2016

University of Montana Athletics

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