Wagner signs on with Hogs

— Dee Wagner is all signed up and ready to pitch in for Arkansas’ men’s basketball team.

Wagner, a 5-11, 170-pound point guard from Alexandria (La.) Peabody High School, signed a national letter of intent with Arkansas on Wednesday, the opening day of the NCAA’s spring signing period. He is the Razorbacks’ fourth signee for the 2012 class.

Wagner chose the Razorbacks over scholarship offers from Sam Houston State and Stephen F. Austin. He was named Mr.

Basket-ball in Louisiana after leading Peabody to the Class 4A state title and a 35-1 record this season.

“I think I’m ready for the next level,” said Wagner, who plans to arrive in Fayetteville on Monday for his official visit. “I’m coming in to try and help the guys out. I know B.J. [Young] is coming back, and I know he’s an outside player. I’ll help him out and help out my big guys, do whatever I have to do to win. That’s what I’m going to do.”

National recruiting analyst Van Coleman of Hot100hoops.com said Wagner has the skills to excel in college.

“He’s a 5-11 guard that can flat out stroke from deep and get to the hole and is an excellent passer,” said Coleman, who has been covering national college basketball recruiting for more than 30 years.

The Razorbacks signed three recruits during the early signing period in November: forward JaCorey Williams, 6-8, 190, of Birmingham (Ala.) Central Park; swingman Michael Qualls, 6-5, 200, of Shreveport Huntington; and shooting guard Anthlon Bell, 6-3, 180, of Bartlett, Tenn.

Former Little Rock Central forward Alandise Harris, 6-6, 230, also announced Tuesday that he plans to transfer from Houston to Arkansas after being granted a release by the Cougars on Saturday. He will petition the NCAA for awaiver that would allow him to play during the 2012-2013. If denied, he’ll have to sit out a year and be eligible to play in the 2013-2014 season.

Around the state, UALRsigned Kemy Osse, a 6-1, 200-pound shooting guard from Washington, D.C., adding him to a class of five signed in November. Arkansas State added 6-9 forward Seth Kisler from Paris (Texas) Junior College to its four fall signees. Central Arkansas Coach Corliss Williamson got the signature of Little Rock Hall’s David Berete, who averaged 10 points, 4 rebounds, 3 steals and 4 assists for the Warriors.

Sports, Pages 17 on 04/12/2012