Jalen Moore, Carson Shanks sign with Aggies basketball

The NCAA basketball early signing period kicked off Wednesday, and the Utah State basketball team shored up its 2013 incoming class by noon.

Sky View wing Jalen Moore and Prior Lake (Minn.) center Carson Shanks are now signed with the Aggies for next year. It's a small recruiting class in number, but big on height, as the 6-foot-7 Moore and the 7-foot Shanks could give the team some extra size at their respective positions.

The local talent is Moore, whose father Jimmy Moore should ring some bells for longtime Utah State fans. He has a versatile skill set, able to handle, shoot from distance, pass with vision and work effectively in transition. Over the summer, Moore was working on some of his inside game, rebounding and driving inside, but he'll like play at the 3 or 2 spot for the Aggies. He was an all-state player for the Tribune last year, averaging about 15 points and five rebounds per game.

Shanks, the Minnesota big man, is skinny but fluid in the post. Although Utah State now has several players at 6-foot-10 and above, Shanks could develop into a bigger inside contributor for the Aggies down the road. His long reach is part of his potential, and his size should translate to rebounding and inside scoring ability at the next level.

— Kyle Goon

kgoon@sltrib.com

Twitter: @kylegoon