Even with the early departure of Martell Webster, Lorenzo Romar put together a recruiting class last year that some consider the best in the history of the Washington men's basketball program.

With the news yesterday of yet another commitment — this one from shooting guard/small forward Phil Nelson of McNary High in Keizer, Ore. — the class of 2006 may soon be regarded similarly.

Nelson is the third high-school player to commit to the Huskies, all generally considered among the top 100 prospects in the country.

UW's biggest target, however, is still out there in Seattle Prep center Spencer Hawes. Hawes visited Stanford over the weekend and is still deciding among UW, North Carolina and the Cardinal, with an announcement possible in the next few weeks.

Nelson is a 6-foot-8, 205-pounder whose stock rose during the summer with sterling play on the AAU and camp circuits, particularly his long-range shooting.

Noted basketball analyst Frank Burlison of Foxsports.com listed Nelson as the No. 25 high-school senior in the country, writing, "there are a lot of better all-around players right now, but his phenomenal deep shooting ability — and the P word is certainly apt — gets him the final spot [on his list of 25]."

Nelson visited Washington this weekend, taking in the UW-Notre Dame football game, and made his commitment to the coaching staff before returning home yesterday.

"There was just a comfort level there with the coaches and the players," he said. "Something about the coaches really got me."

Nelson also visited Gonzaga and Georgia Tech.

UW also has commitments from Adrian Oliver, a 6-foot-2 point guard from Modesto, Calif., and Quincy Pondexter, a 6-7 forward from Fresno, Calif. All are expected to sign official letters-of-intent with the Huskies in November.