EL PASO, Texas – Talented forward and proven winner DaCannon Wickware (Lee College) has signed a national letter of intent to play with the UTEP men's basketball team starting with the 2024-25 campaign, head coach Joe Golding announced Thursday. He will have three years of eligibility.
 
He is yet another Region XIV signee for the Miners under Golding. Ahamad Bynum signed with the Orange and Blue earlier this year. The duo will play with '24-25 seniors Derick Hamilton and Corey Camper Jr. Former Miner Bonke Maring also ventured to the Sun City from Region XIV.
 
A profile on Wickware and a quote from Golding follows below.
 
DaCannon Wickware
Forward
6-7
Lee College
Dallas, Texas
 
Proven winner who helped Kimball HS (Dallas, Texas,) claim the 2023 state championship as a senior before aiding Lee College to a Region XIV regular-season championship and an appearance in the 2024 NJCAA Championships … his squads posted a combined mark of 61-7 the past two years, including 33-2 within district and league play … produced 11.4 ppg and 8.2 rpg on the way to winning the state crown with Kimball HS … the team compiled an overall record of 33-2 (16-0 in district) … in his lone season (2023-24) with Lee College, accounted for 12.9 points per game (second on team) on 61.4 percent shooting (153-249) while adding 6.5 rebounds per contest … efforts helped the squad claim the regular-season conference crown for the second straight year while finishing at 28-5 overall (17-2 in league) … the school also advanced to the NJCAA Championships … started all 32 contests … connected on 37.1 percent (13-35) from beyond-the-arc … pulled down 71 offensive rebounds and 136 at the defensive end … upped his scoring output to a team-best 14.3 ppg while making 93-150 (62.0 percent from the floor) in conference action … that included going 45.8 percent (11-24) from distance … got to the free-throw line early and often, filling up 93-136 (68.4 percent) from the charity stripe, including 61-85 (71.8 percent) in league play … put up 18 points to go along with nine rebounds in a loss to a Trinity Valley CC (3/16/24) club led by Miner signee Ahamad Bynum in the Region XIV tournament championship contest … reached double digits in scoring in 19 games, including pouring in a career-best 29 points on 11-15 shooting and 6-7 at the free throw line in a narrow victory at Coastal Bend (2/28/24) … enjoyed a stretch of 20+ points in three of four tilts … averaged 21.5 ppg on 66.0 percent shooting during the sequence … recorded five double-doubles on the season … put up 20 points while grabbing 10 boards against Dallas College Eastfield (11/17/23) … went off for 17 points to go along with a career-best 14 caroms at Panola College (12/2/23) … tallied 18 points and registered 10 rebounds at Navarro College (1/13/24) … poured in 23 points and grabbed 10 boards at Angelina College (2/17/24) … posted his second straight and fifth double-double of the year with a 14-point, 12-rebound effort at Lamar State-Port Arthur (2/21/24) … four of his five double-doubles came on the road … shot 70 percent or better on 13 occasions while finishing below 50 percent just five times … recorded 13 contests with at least nine rebounds.
 
"I am very excited to finally announce to Miner Nation that we have added the final piece to our roster for the 2024-25 season. DaCannon is a versatile athlete that will give us depth at the forward position. We love the toughness that he brings to the floor. He plays with an extremely high motor, which fits right into the identify of our basketball program.  And as always, we love that he has come from winning ways. Coming from one of the most prestigious high school basketball programs in Kimball High School and spending last season at Lee College, he knows what it takes to win. We are glad that he has chosen to join us here at UTEP!" Help support UTEP student-athletes by making a gift to the Miner Athletic Club.
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