Naz Meyer Continues to Turn Heads During Rookie Campaign

LARAMIE -- The book was seemingly out on Naz Meyer.

The rookie guard was no longer a secret around the league. In fact, he was likely right near the top of the scouting report for Wyoming's opponents.

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That had to be why he netted just five points against Colorado State back in mid-February and followed up that performance with an 0-for-4 shooting night at San Diego State, right?

Well, partially.

There was also a bout with the flu and strep throat that caused the California product to drop 17 pounds over a two-week span. Meyer dealt with all of that and a concussion he sustained after a road meeting with Fresno State. He was sidelined for the next two games.

Would he get back to his old self this season?

Earning his fifth Mountain West Freshman of the Week honor after scoring 14 points, including five in the final 90 seconds, in last Saturday's 66-62 victory over Air Force inside the Arena-Auditorium should put all doubt to rest.

Meyer also matched a career-high with eight rebounds in that win.

"Pressure is a privilege," Wyoming head coach Sundance Wicks said after Meyer was held off the score sheet in that Feb. 3 loss to the Aztecs. "That's the mark of a guy who's highly counted on every single night. You got to show up regardless of the opponent and regardless of where you're playing."

In the six outings following that blanking inside Viejas Arena, Meyer is averaging 15 points a night. He's pulled down 27 boards and dished out 14 helpers in the process. The 6-foot-7 Los Angeles native is also 10-of-31 from deep in that time frame.

"He's going to be one of the next great players," fellow guard Adam Harakow said back in November.

"He'll be great for us," Matija Belic added. "He has great confidence. That's what he should have as the player that he is."

Meyer, who also fielded offers from Arizona State and Marquette, among many other programs, is shooting 47.7% from the field this season while adding 13.1 points per outing. He's connecting on nearly 37% of his shots from beyond the arc and is reeling in almost five rebounds.

"The guy spent an entire summer building his body up to play at this level," Wicks said. "You can tell when a guy loses 17 pounds, like from a sickness, that that's gonna hurt you. I don't care who you are ... It's going to affect your stamina, it's going to affect your ability to play longer and it's going to affect your ability to handle impact."

Meyer has clearly adjusted to his new normal.

The Cowboys (16-13, 7-11) will close out the home portion of their schedule tonight against Nevada (19-10, 11-7). In the last meeting between these two -- a 92-83 Wolf Pack win in Reno -- Meyer finished with a career-best 27 points on 7-of-13 shooting. He was also 10-of-12 at the free-throw line.

Tipoff is slated for 8 p.m. and the game will be streamed on the Mountain West Network.

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