ARLINGTON, Texas - UT Arlington point guard Erick Neal hasn't taken a dribble, much less a shot, in an actual game for the Mavericks. That hasn't stopped people from taking notice of the playmaker from Dallas Lincoln.

Bleacher Report predicted Neal would win Freshman of the Year in the Sun Belt Conference for the upcoming season. Neal joins a program that tied for fourth in the Sun Belt last season, it's first in the league.

"Erick is an extremely talented basketball player that is very competitive," UT Arlington coach Scott Cross said. "He is a dynamic, extremely quick point guard that can pass, dribble, and shoot, and I expect him to be a nightmare for opposing defenses, but what I like most about him is that he is a 'winner.' Every team that he plays on finds a way to win."

Neal, 5-11, has earned first-team all-district, all-region and all-state honors at Lincoln.

According to Bleacher Report, Neal has a great opportunity to "show off his combination of scoring and playmaking ability."

The Mavericks begin practices Oct. 3 and open the season at Bradley on Nov. 14. Season tickets are on sale at UTATickets.com.