Las Vegas Sun

July 26, 2024

UNLV Basketball

  • Texas A&M guard Wade Taylor IV (4) tries to knock the ball away from Oral Roberts guard Jailen Bedford (35) who drives the baseline during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game Friday, Nov. 17, 2023, in College Station, Texas. Bedford will transfer to UNLV for the upcoming season.
    Jailen Bedford brings shooting touch to UNLV backcourt
    By Mike Grimala
    If UNLV is going to make a run at the NCAA Tournament this season, D.J. Thomas is going to need a running mate. Thomas is a star and will serve as the Scarlet and Gray’s No. 1 offensive option in 2024-25. The ball is going to be in his hands a lot, and Kevin Kruger will trust the sophomore to ...
  • Sierra Vistas Xavion Staton laughs during the Las Vegas Sun High School Basketball Media Day at Red Rock Resort Monday, Oct. 16, 2023.
    UNLV basketball putting on full-court press for local prospect Xavion Staton
    By Mike Grimala
    Xavion Staton makes for an easy target around Las Vegas. Whenever the 7-footer leaves the house, he attracts plenty of attention. And it seems everyone in town has an opinion to share: Come to UNLV. “I get it a lot,” Staton says with a laugh. “Whether it’s teachers or fans or just people ...
  • Boise State guard Jace Whiting (15) and UNLV guard EJ Harkless (55) chase after a loose ball in the second half of an NCAA college basketball game during the Mountain West tournament Thursday, March 9, 2023, in Las Vegas.
    Incoming transfer Jace Whiting is designated shooter for UNLV basketball
    By Mike Grimala
    Every college basketball team in the nation believes it needs more shooting. That’s just the way the game is evolving, with more emphasis than ever on creating — and making — 3-pointers. When it comes to outside shooters, you can never have too many ...
  • UNLV basketball player Jaden Henley goes through a drill on the first day of summer practice.
    Is DePaul transfer Jaden Henley ready to reach his ceiling at UNLV?
    By Mike Grimala
    When the 2023-24 season ended, it wasn’t difficult to look at the UNLV roster and project where Kevin Kruger and his staff would focus their recruiting efforts ...
  • UNLV Rebels head coach Kevin Kruger calls out during the second half of an NCAA basketball game against the Boise State Broncos at the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas Wednesday, Jan. 11, 2023.
    Communication is key as UNLV basketball works through summer
    By Mike Grimala
    As the UNLV basketball team approaches the midway point of the summer practice window, head coach Kevin Kruger isn’t so worried about how his players are scoring and rebounding. He’s more interested in what they are saying ...
  • UNLV basketball player James Evans.
    UNLV basketball recruit James Evans looking like the ideal wing
    By Mike Grimala
    Recruiting the high school ranks has become a tricky proposition in the NIL era. Coaches can fill roster holes with veteran transfers from the portal and reap immediate rewards, so there is less patience for spending years recruiting and developing prep prospects ...
  • UNLV basketball player Jeremiah Cherry.
    Can big man Jeremiah Cherry be UNLV's latest juco gem?
    By Mike Grimala
    Most of Cherry’s offensive touches came through very traditional post-ups. Few opponents were able to stop him from getting position, and Cherry works hard to establish ...
  • UNLV basketball player Jaden Henley goes through a drill on the first day of summer practice.
    'Free-flowing' first week of practice for UNLV basketball
    By Mike Grimala
    The UNLV basketball team just wrapped its first week of summer practice, but it didn’t quite sound like hoops practice. A novice ear would have heard sneakers squeaking and balls bouncing off the ...
  • UNLV Rebels forward Keylan Boone (20) celebrates after making a three-point basket during the second half of an NCAA basketball game against the Colorado State Rams at the Thomas & Mack Center Saturday, Feb. 24, 2024.
    UNLV open to reunion as Keylan Boone seeks surprise sixth year
    By Mike Grimala
    Might there be an unexpected reunion in the works for UNLV basketball and forward Keylan Boone? The issue is complicated. It was reported on Wednesday that Boone is petitioning the NCAA for a sixth year of eligibility ...
  • UNLV guard D.J. Thomas (11) and forward Rob Whaley Jr. (5) run a drill during the official first day of practice at Mendenhall Center Wednesday, Sept. 27, 2023.
    UNLV basketball back on court as summer practice set to begin
    By Mike Grimala
    When the UNLV basketball team opens summer practice today, it will be the first time the 2024-25 squad assembles on the court in any official capacity. But for the key players, it’s been there, done that. That’s just how coach Kevin Kruger wants it. Unlike most of the Mountain West, UNLV ...
  • UNLV Rebels head coach Kevin Kruger watches as the Rebels play against the Southern University Jaguars during the second half of an NCAA basketball game at the Thomas & Mack Center Wednesday, Nov. 8, 2023.
    'Challenging' nonconference schedule awaits UNLV basketball
    By Mike Grimala
    UNLV's nonconference basketball opponents for the 2024-25 season are set, and the school will announce the details once game dates are worked out and contracts are signed, according to coach Kevin Kruger. “We’ve got agreements with everyone,” Kruger said. “Now we’re looking through dates, trying to get everything ...
  • Texas A&M guard Wade Taylor IV (4) tries to knock the ball away from Oral Roberts guard Jailen Bedford (35) who drives the baseline during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game Friday, Nov. 17, 2023, in College Station, Texas. Bedford will transfer to UNLV for the upcoming season.
    Meet the newcomers: UNLV basketball roster projection 2.0
    By Mike Grimala
    The transfer portal has closed and incoming recruits have signed their letters of intent, which means the UNLV basketball roster is set for the 2024-25 season. The final tally has six returners forming the core of next year’s team, with seven newcomers filling in the gaps. The incoming group is made up two high-school ...
  • UNLV basketball player James Evans.
    Wait is finally over for UNLV freshman James Evans
    By Mike Grimala
    When James Evans committed to UNLV nearly a year ago, way back before his senior year at West Ranch High School (Stevenson Ranch, Calif.), he basically pledged to an unknown situation. College basketball ...
  • UNLV Rebels head coach Kevin Kruger watches the Rebels play during the second half of an NCAA basketball game against the Southern University Jaguars at the Thomas & Mack Center Wednesday, Nov. 8, 2023.
    Kruger sees UNLV as contender with portal additions: ‘I like our roster’
    By Mike Grimala
    For UNLV basketball, it is officially time to start looking forward to next season. UNLV completed its roster on Thursday with the addition of Florida transfer Julian Rishwain, who ...
  • UNLV fans cheer during the second half of an NCAA basketball game against the Boston College Eagles in the second round of the NIT tournament at the Thomas & Mack Center Sunday, March 24, 2024.
    UNLV basketball finalizes roster with Florida transfer Julian Rishwain
    By Mike Grimala
    UNLV now has 13 players on scholarship for next season, putting a bow on the roster. Rishwain will be one of seven newcomers and one of four transfer-portal additions.
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