Days before George Mason University men’s basketball kicked off its regular season against the Harvard Crimson, head coach Jim Larranaga inked two potential impact players for the 2011-2012 season.

Corey Edwards, a 5-foot-11-inch guard, is a three-year starter at Christ the King in Middle Village, N.Y., the same high school of Mason junior Ryan Pearson. Edwards is ranked the 56th best point guard prospect in the nation by ESPN.

“We have been looking for a point guard who has the ability to be a leader on the floor for us,” Larranaga said. “He is an outstanding ballplayer and, like a coach, he really knows the game of basketball.”

Vaughn Gray, a 6-foot-5-inch forward from Elmwood Park, N.J., is entering his first season at St. Benedict’s Prep School under coach Roshown McLeod, a former standout player at Duke University.

While attending Don Bosco Prep School over the last three years, Gray averaged 21.4 points and six rebounds per game. He is ranked the 53rd best small forward prospect, according to ESPN.

“With the upcoming graduation of [senior guards] Cam Long and Isaiah Tate, Vaughn Gray has the ability to come in and fill a void left by their departure,” said Larranaga. “His game is very similar to Cam and Isaiah’s.”

Both student athletes signed National Letters of Intent to play for Larranaga next season.

“We feel very fortunate to add these outstanding student athletes to our program,” Larranaga said. “Both young men are winners – on and off the court.”