UTEP men’s basketball is hosting two high-upside targets this weekend as Joe Golding’s staff continues building for the Mountain West era. Kuai Deng, the 6-10 wing/forward from Howard College. Born in Adelaide, Australia, Deng came through The Patrick School in New Jersey before a standout JUCO freshman year in Big Spring. He averaged 12.1 points and 5.8 rebounds, shot 52 percent from the floor and 35 percent from three, and helped Howard win an NJCAA Division I national title. All-Region, NJCAA All-Tournament Team, JucoRecruiting Fab 50 freshman. Scouts like his length, motor, and the ability to push in transition or stretch the floor. UTEP offered him in July. Joining him on campus is Geren Holmes, a 6-5 class of 2027 shooting guard from The Burlington School in North Carolina. The Cleveland native reclassified, transferred, and has risen fast: four-star, top-10 in the state, Rivals/On3 around the national 100. Last season he put up about 19 points, 4 rebounds and nearly 2 steals a night against a tough SOS, with 52 percent shooting and a 36 percent three-point clip. Explosive athlete, finishes through contact, and already holds high-major offers from Ohio State, Wake Forest, Mississippi State, Texas A&M and others.