Matt Pinegar, a 6-foot-2 point guard from Timpview's 4A state championship basketball team, announced Tuesday he will sign on Nov. 11 to play at BYU.
Pinegar, who was recruited by the Cougars and Utah State, made the announcement after visiting BYU's practice.
Pinegar, a first-team Deseret Morning News All-State player and the Utah Valley Most Valuable Player as a junior, follows in the footsteps of his grandfather Ed J. Pinegar, who played at BYU in the 1950s. His father, Provo dentist Steven Pinegar, played at Utah State in the late '70s after starring at Provo High.
"I guess he's following his grandpa and not in his father's footsteps," his father said.
Pinegar made his decision before taking any recruiting trips to Logan or Provo.
"It just felt right for me and I fit in down here where my family will be able to see me play," Pinegar said. "I think the coaching staff is cool and it will all work out."
Pinegar is the second player from the Thunderbirds' state championship team to commit to the Cougars this month. Last week, 6-10 center Chris Miles announced his decision to sign at BYU.
Provo High's Tai Wesley, a 6-foot-7 forward, told the Deseret Morning News Tuesday that he's also likely to sign with BYU on Nov. 11 even though he hasn't verbally committed to any school.
"I want to sign early because I don't want any distractions during the season," Wesley said. "I just want to focus on helping my team."
Wesley is being recruited by Utah State, Boise State and Southern Utah. However, Wesley's first recruiting visit will be Friday when he spends the day with Cougar officials. He likely won't visit the other campuses, he said.
Pinegar earned several all-tournament honors this summer playing AAU ball and plans to go on an LDS mission before enrolling at BYU. His birthday is in October and he will leave for church service in 2004.
Pinegar averaged 13 points and five assists per game at Timpview.
"I think a point guard has to be able to shoot and be a threat because it opens up the passing game and helps everyone else on your team," he said.
E-mail: dharmon@desnews.com