Breaking news today, former McDonalds All-American Jelan Kendrick has officially committed to be a UNLV Runnin' Rebel. Highlights and links to other story's will follow, but a little background first.
When Kendrick joins our UNLV squad, it will be next season (2013-14) with newcomers Christian Wood and Dantley Walker. Kendrick, originally from Wheeler High School in Georgia was named to the 2010 McDonalds All-American team, as well as the 2010 Jordan Brand Classic. His roster mates included familiar names such as Cory Joseph and Tristian Thompson (of Findlay Prep), Fab Melo (who landed at Syracuse), Harrison Barnes (UNC), Perry Jones III (Baylor) Kyrie Irving (Duke) Kendall Marshall (UNC) Josh Selby (Kansas) and Jared Sullinger (Ohio State). As a connection to a current UNLV Runnin' Rebel, he was teammates with Roscoe Smith on the 2010 Jordan Brand Classic team.
Kendrick is a 6'7" forward who has been known to rock the rim. It's hard to judge where his skill set is right now given that he has effectively removed himself from basketball for the past two years for numerous reasons: multiple problems during his limited tenure at both Memphis, and then Ole Miss. Judging Kendrick purely on where he was coming out of high school, he was one of the best 2010 prospects.
Concerning eligibility and where he'll be in the short-term, it appears that Kendrick will honor a commitment to play for Indian Hills Community College in Iowa this season, then immediately be eligible next season for the Runnin' Rebels.
The overall consensus is that UNLV and its new coaching staff are doing more than going back to the Runnin' ways of the past. They are now recruiting at a high level, and from a page from Tarkanian's book, giving troubled players another chance to prove and better themselves, while UNLV benefits. The irony of of rehabilitating troubled players is that it happens in Sin City :). Getting Kendrick is smart because he certainly has the talent, says he's matured (time will tell) and a replacement will be needed to fill the void created when Mike Moser is gone. Now, the roster has several capable guys who can step into that role and compete for those minutes.
Here are the videos of highlights of Jenan Kendrick, hopefully we'll see this much and more in the 2013-14 season.
Before you salivate -- please remember to attend the Scarlet and Gray scrimmage at the Thomas and Mack on Thursday, October 18. Its free, so financially its a better value than the dollar menu at your favorite fast food restaurant. See this post for all the details.
CBS Sports
Rant Sports
LV Sun
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