President Hector Balderas To Greet New Recruits at Northern New Mexico College Signing Day in Albuquerque Saturday, April 22
Seven men and two women will join Northern’s basketball teams
ESPAÑOLA, N.M. — Northern New Mexico College (NNMC) will host a Signing Day for its women’s and men’s basketball teams from 11 a.m. – 1 p.m. Saturday, April 22, 2023, at Jason’s Deli, 5920 Holly Ave. NE, Albuquerque, N.M. NNMC President Hector Balderas will preside over the event, where he will welcome in-state recruits to both the men’s and women’s (Eagles and Lady Eagles) teams. Five international players were signed at a ceremony March 4, 2023.
“One of New Mexico’s best kept secrets is that we are a basketball state—from Peñasco to Hobbs, we have one of the richest legacies of basketball in the country,” Balderas said. “I am proud to support our coaches’ efforts to recruit these fantastic players from right here at home, and I look forward to seeing them succeed on the court and in the classroom.”
Seven recruits will be joining the Eagles team and three new Lady Eagles are signing on.
Men’s recruits are:
Geleio Griego (6’2”) competed for Los Lunas High School in Los Lunas, N.M.
Eloy Medina (6’3”) is from West Mesa High School in Albuquerque. He finished his high school career with averages of 20.7 points, 5.6 rebounds and 1.5 assists per game. He received the First Team All-District honor four times and was named to the All-Metro Third Team. Medina plans to major in Business.
Dalen Moyer (6’1”) comes to Northern from Sandia High School in Albuquerque. His averages were 10.5 points, 3.5 rebounds and 4.5 assists per game. Moyer received First Team All-District honor once and Second Team All-District honor twice. He was named to All-Metro third team and All-State Honorable Mention. He helped Sandia reach the NMMA 5A championship game during the 2022 – 2023 season. He is also majoring in Business.
Aiden Pacini (6’2”) played for Organ Mountain High School in Las Cruces, N.M., where his averages were 11.7 points and 3.1 rebounds. Pacini received Second Team All-District and was selected to participate in the 2023 Red-Green New Mexico High School Boys All Star Game. He will major in Business.
Sonny Ortiz (6’4”) comes from West Mesa High School in Albuquerque, finishing his high school career with averages of 16.3 points, 3.3 rebounds and 2 assists per game. He will major in business.
Tavaun Smith (6’5) joins Northern from ABC Post Grad in Albuquerque. Smith’s post grad season averages were 16.2 points, 6.1 rebounds and 1.9 assists per game. He will major in Business.
Women’s recruits are:
Jazmin Cordova (5’8), an Albuquerque native and West Mesa High School graduate, comes to Northern from Trinidad State College in Colorado. She won 5A State Championship in 2019 and is a three-time Metro Champion. Cordova was named All-Metro Third Team and First Team All-District. She plans to major in Biology/Pre-Health.
Lauren Hicks (5’5”) played for Tornillo High School in Tornillo, Texas, then went on to pursue her academic and athletic career at Lassen College in California. In high school, she was named All-District Newcomer her freshman year, All-District Offensive MVP her sophomore year and All-District MVP her junior and senior years. She will major in Early Childhood Education.
Rhianna Padilla (5’5”) comes from Española Valley High School, where her averages were 13.6 points, 5.8 rebounds and 1.3 assists per game. Padilla received the First Team All-District runner up. She will major in Accounting/Phycology.
Contact: Jesus Aragon, Athletic Director/Head Coach
jesus.aragon@nnmc.edu, 915-727-1434
