Coming full circle on recruiting: Update on Dantley Walker, as well as the news of the past week

Taking a break from the three part series previewing the roster of 2012-13, there is much to talk about as well as summarize that occurred on the recruiting front. Before discussing that which many of you already know, let’s get an update on Dantley Walker, future member of the Rebels for the 2013-14 year.

Dantley Walker Update

Dantley Walker: Man on a mission

For those of you familiar, Dantley Walker – prolific scorer from Panaca, NV committed to the Rebels, but as a Mormon he elected to serve a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. This delays his arrival at UNLV as a freshman two years. I had the opportunity to interview his father/assistant coach Greg Walker last year, and get updates from time to time. The information we had previously, was that his mission was to be in Spokane, Washington – and he was fortunate to get an early start so that he didn’t have to begin his colligate career, then leave and come back to it two years later. He was clearly excited to go on the mission, and to be a Rebel.

Since we’ve last updated, Dantley Walker has been on his mission for nine months now, and is doing very well. He loves serving the call of the mission, but obviously misses competitive basketball very much. He served the first five months in Cordeau-d'lene, Idaho, and has been in Spokane, Washington since then. One of Dantley’s goals for his downtime was to keep in basketball shape and do all that he can to maintain readiness for the future. To that end, luck has smiled on him and one of his former AAU coaches from the Las Vegas Prospects, Rick Walter, now coaches at Spokane Falls Community College. Any morning that the two can find the time, he works out with Coach Walter and goes through some serious basketball workouts.

Elder Walker at the
training center

Elder Walker working on the
golf game

Elder Walker showing off the guns

According to Coach Walter, Dantley seems to be maintaining his basketball skills. As far as the hope that he might be playing pickup ball with formidable Gonzaga players – that hasn’t occurred just yet. So far, he plays with other missionaries and basketball players around Spokane. He does hope too hoop it up with Gonzaga players, or Spokane Falls players. As far as physical activity not on the court, he's lifting weights and jumping rope when he can and has added about 10 pounds to his frame since graduating from high school.

Dantley Walker and Coach Walter in Spokane, Washington

I inquired as to whether he’s been recognized (as a UNLV recruit) while out doing his mission work, and he really hasn’t because up there they’re more focused on Boise St, Washing St. U of Washington, Gonzaga, and Idaho St. But, they eventually all find out he’s going to be a Rebel, and think it’s really cool. For those that may not  straight off believe him, they check the internet – especially his YouTube mix tapes and find out quick enough. I also wondered if he regularly got heat (given what he’s doing) for not going to BYU – and Dantley normally appeases their question by pointing out that he is from Nevada, UNLV offered first, and as a matter of fact Coach Rice was very interested in Dantley as assistant coach of BYU. It a great situation he has with the Rebels, going on the mission and then coming back as a scholarship player, but he’s really interested in Coach Rice’s up-tempo system. He also sometimes mentions that the WCC isn’t as strong as the MWC, but has to be careful about saying that in front of the Gonzaga fans.

Yes, Dantley Walker has had some friendly suggestions  to just stay put after his mission and help the Gonzaga Bulldogs – to that his answer is “no way, gonna run and gun with Coach Rice and the Rebs.”

Dantley Walker will be back from his mission in July, 2013, and will begin practice at UNLV shortly thereafter. Best of luck to Dantley Walker and his family, he is perusing and admirable endeavor in the name of his faith, and that’s a quality trait to have. He’ll be more mature and focused, and hopefully will run point for the Rebels when he is ready to suit up.

Shabazz no more


Although there were many reasons that it would make sense for Shabazz Muhammad to join the Rebels, he cut UNLV from his list of five shortly before the McDonalds All-American game. Incidentally, he was MVP of that game, and won the dunk contest.

For whatever reason, Muhammad chose UCLA – a storied basketball program, that has become an embarrassment to its former glory, harbors a coach who nobody can say has any discipline over his players, hasn’t made the NCAA tournament in the past two years, and has been the jumping away point for numerous promising recruits – who go on to do great things elsewhere (Chace Stanback UNLV, Mike Moser UNLV, Drew Gordon UNM, Matt Carlino BYU). A lot has been said, straight out in the media that Muhammad, or rather his family, was essentially bought and sold under the guise of an Adidas shoe deal. For what it’s worth – I honestly hope not. While UNLV is not an Adidas team (Nike last time I checked), the choice of UCLA over the likes of national champion Kentucky, or Duke which is a perennial favorite and sucks up more TV time than anyone makes no sense whatsoever. UCLA holds no advantage over UNLV in terms of basketball prowess. On this subject, this is perhaps the only time I’ve ever agreed with that San Diego loving troll Ed Graney of the LVRJ on this point – we don’t need Shabazz Muhammad. No reason to be bitter towards him on this, for not choosing UNLV – but the angst I have (as well as many others) is about the stupidity of the choice of UCLA.

Mashour has left the building

Israel native Karam Mashour has declared his intention to leave the Rebels in search of a team that will give him the chance to crack the roster and play solid minutes. For a guy with the work ethic that he has, first to arrive and last to leave practice, as well as his unfettered support of his teammates throughout a season that allowed him less playing time than the season before – it’s sad that we couldn’t utilize him better.

His highlight of his career was the baseline dunk against the University of Central Arkansas. Less than a month later, came the lowlight – refusing to play garbage time minutes. It’s understandable why he’s frustrated, he played for the Israeli U19 national team, and supposedly was an athletic freak on the Las Vegas Prospects. Since arriving at UNLV, he’s not done anything but play garbage time for the most part. Mashour – a Kruger recruit and scholarship holder, showed more promise coming in, and was never given the chance to put that on the floor in front of the fans.

There certainly is a duality to this kind of problem – UNLV has largely been successful over the years, even back to the Tark days because of transfers. There is an ebb and flow of players who are constantly in search of playing time, or a system that better suits them or highlights their talent. Some people are searching for a challenge, others are looking to be a big fish in a little pond, instead of a little fish in a big pond. We get it, basketball is like life – sometimes things don’t work out as planned.

Karam Mashour, for certain, helped the Rebels the past two seasons, and surely improved his skills for practicing with and against a nationally ranked team. Hopefully, this experience serves him well wherever he plays next, and when he gets back to Israel and no doubt try his hand a pro-ball there. Good luck to Karam, and thank you.

In pursuit of Anthony Bennett

Numerous sources, LVRJ, LV Sun, Vegas Seven, have all noted that Anthony Bennett is the biggest prize left in the recruiting sphere, and the Rebels are hot on his trail trying to make his colors Scarlet and Gray.

I am cautiously optimistic that he will become a Rebel for several reasons 1) there is significant room now and in the future for a large power forward in our offense, 2) friendship with Khem Birch, 3) the Rebels are a damn good team worthy of his kind of talent, 4) excursion to his homeland, Canada this summer.

Hopefully Anthony Bennett does not feel any kind of distain that all the talk over the past year or two has been about Shabazz. Reality check – any town that has the consensus #1 pick will get a little crazy over him, especially so when we have a very good basketball team that could potentially land him.

Fact #2, Las Vegas is very high on Findlay Prep, and UNLV would love to land or retain as many Findlay Prep players as possible on the regular. The Runnin’ Rebels is the perfect landing spot for Anthony Bennett to spend 1-2 years bettering himself as well as the Rebels in pursuit of a championship and a pro-career. Anthony Bennett – WE WANT YOU TO BE A REBEL!

ESPN Love

ESPN.com has just released two articles that should peak UNLV fans interest:

UNLV best team in the west, best in PAC-12, MWC, WAC and West Coast Conference: Link- praises key wins over North Carolina, Illinois, and Cal

12 Bold HS Hoops Predictions for 2012: Link- predicts Shabazz Muhammad will choose UNLV

And Then, There Was Rice; Comments from Shabazz not positive for Rebs

By Jason Taylor (rebelgrad95)
Rebel Reign Contributor

The hardest part of Lon Kruger’s departure for many UNLV fans was watching the look on the players’ faces.  A few were able to muster responses to the shocking news as other players passed by the cameras in the background, unable, or unwilling to respond.  If there is any animosity toward Kruger amongst fans, much of it would stem from remembering that moment in time… Our boys were crushed. 

In the following days players wondered if they would fit in to an upcoming, unknown system.  Fans wondered who might leave the program, and if the revived hope provided by Kruger, would begin to fade.

Then, there was Dave Rice. 

He came in a few weeks after Kruger’s departure, and not only convinced every single player on the roster to stay, but the freshman head coach formed an all-star assistant coaching staff and began signing new, elite recruits within a few weeks:  Dantly Walker (all time leading NV H.S. scorer), Bryce Jones (Top 100 recruit 2010, USC transfer), Christian Wood (Top 100 recruit, 2013), Katin Reinhardt (Top 100 recruit 2012), and DeQuan Cook, who was high on the UNLV radar for 2012. 

With Rice and company, there is a very real chance that UNLV may sign 1-3 more Top 100 Recruits for 2012.  In fact, the #1 and #7 recruits in the nation, Shabazz Muhammad and Anthony Bennet, still have UNLV on their short-lists.  When is the last time UNLV has been in this position?

There is a renewed “buzz” surrounding the program.  Not a Kruger-style buzz, but a 1990’s Tarkanian-elite program-style buzz.  Rice keeps a check on unrealistic expectations, but in-the-know fans love what they see so far!

How has he done it?  He promised to put the “Runnin” back into the Runnin’ Rebels. 

While that sounds like fun, it raises a few questions.  What does “Runnin” actually mean?  How will it be different?  What types of players are needed?  Does Rice have the right weapons with the current Kruger roster?

Lets take a look at the likely components of a “Runnin” team.

• Quickly identify defensive seams, and attack at first light.
• Guards run the wings looking for quick outlet passes, even on in-bound plays.
• Players have more authority to make decisions based on flow.
• The “Bigs” run the lanes looking for dishes and clean-up work.
• “Offensive Sets” rely on quick lateral movement.
• Guards/Forwards often penetrate and create the “draw and dish”, or finish.
• “Face-up”, or “catch and shoot” jumpers become increasingly important.
• Centers “stretch” their defenders, forcing them to guard away from the basket creating driving lanes.
•  Deep and frequent use of the bench.
• Occasional zone defenses, preserving “offensive legs”.

Many would assert that Kruger looked to “push” the ball as much as possible and create fast breaks, so how is the “new” style really that different?

While it is true that Kruger liked getting out on the fast break, it was usually created after a turnover, rather than after rebounds and made baskets.  Kruger’s success centers heavily on a very good turnover margin.  His teams defend with an intense man-to-man effort, and then maintain control of the ball on the offensive end, running a “safe” offensive set that eventually works the ball into a good shot.

Rice’s offense risks Kruger’s turnover margin, but adds the likelihood of higher average-per-game scores.  Kruger protected the ball with style of play.  Rice will rely more on good decision-making, especially from the guards.  Where Kruger almost always set the offense up, Rice will likely seek any crease or space in the defense and attack or shoot.

The current roster for 2011, with Bryce Jones sitting out under transfer rules, will consist of a team formed 100% by Kruger.   

Will they fit in to Rice’s Run-n-Gun scheme? 

Every single guard could benefit, according to their assets.  Outlet passes will seek out open guards on the run.  Marshall, Bellfield, Hawkins, and Smith all have very, very good speed and are good finishers.  Wallace should benefit because he can find the open spot on the 3-point line and receive the kick-out or swing pass.

Marshall will have more point guard duties and Bellfield will have more time as a shooting guard.  Who is the better shooter of the two?  Bellfield, and he loves face-up jumpers.  Who is the stronger driver with ability to draw defenders? Marshall.  If he is quick to get “the feel”, the Bellfield-Marshall combination should be more potent.

Hawkins scores best at the basket with chaos and contact.  Smith is an all-around athlete with an astronomical vertical - Reports have it measured at well over 40 inches.  This should be fun!

How about the forwards?  Mashour may get a chance to really show his stuff.  If he can play good defense and stay under control he’ll get his playing time because this kid is a shooting, slashing, dunking machine with good mid-to-long range accuracy.  Moser is supposedly a near mirror image of Stanback.  They are smooth shooters and if they are consistent, their mid-range jumpers will seal the “draw and kick” deal.  Rice should love all of these guys.

The “bigs” will be interesting.  The question for Massamba is, “can he get down court fast enough to get playing time?”  Lopez is built for Rice’s offense assuming he continues his development.  We haven’t seen much of it yet, but he actually has some range.  Thomas, like Marshall, with size and strength, can fit into just about any system.  He’ll likely lead the team in rebounds per minute played, by far.  All three are good out to about 15 ft, and they should all get a chance to utilize their jumpers more under Rice.  It wouldn't be surprising to even see Lopez start hitting some 3-pointers this year.

So the question was really answered last spring.  As the players listened to the new system and what it meant for them, they all decided to stay, and it’s easy to see why.  UNLV Basketball is evolving, more than changing.  The players “took the wheel” under Kruger… Now Rice is going to let them put the Pedal To The Metal!

Rice owes Kruger a big "Thanks".  Considering he is a new head coach, could he have found himself in a better situation?

 It should be fast and fun!  See you there!

Comments from Shabazz not positive for Rebs


Sporting news has just published a story that features comments by Shabazz Muhammad regarding where he would like to play. Muhammad is quoted as saying, "Yeah, I think (UCLA) is an option. We've (him and Kyle Anderson) been really talking about that. Pretty much he's like my best friend now, so I'm always hanging around with him. We're just talking about UCLA, what other schools he likes, what other schools I like."

Shabazz Muhammad's list of schools are: Arizona, Duke, Kansas, Kentucky, Memphis, UCLA and UNLV.

Kyle Anderson's list of schools are: Saint John's, Seton Hall, Florida, Georgetown and UCLA.

Nothing is final till its final, but this can't be chalked up to anything other than not-so-positive news for the Rebels...

Sporting News

Story on Muhammad also published on MWC Connection

Shabazz Muhammad as a Rebel

No, Shabazz Muhammad did not just commit to UNLV, this is just a glimpse into a possible future that would be excellent news for UNLV, the fans, and even for Shabazz.

Although this is just a possibility right now – it s a possibility that makes a lot of sense and is a great choice. Before we talk about the benefits for everyone, let’s look at who Shabazz Muhammad  is:

Shabazz Muhammad is a 6’6” 205 lbs shooting guard who is entering his senior year at Bishop Gorman High School in Las Vegas, NV. He has been called the best basketball recruit in Southern Nevada history. He is a scoring powerhouse, averaging 25 points per game and a season high last year of 38 against Sierra Vista HS. He is the correct size of a shooting guard, even for NBA standards (MJ was 6’5” and did pretty well). He also has a powerful body, he is able to take the ball to the rim, and pull up inside the arc. He has been known to hit from 3, but that is one of his few offensive weaknesses. Defensively, he is a supreme athletic specimen, he has the quickness and ability to stop others and recapture the ball to lead a fast break. Defensively, the only critiques have been of his ball handling under-pressure, and gambling a little too much trying to go for a steal. Remember this, he’s the #2 prospect in the nation and he was only a junior – nobody’s perfect. He is hardwired to be competitive and his drive to win is extremely high. Everything continuing the way it should for Shabazz, he will be playing at the highest level of basketball professionally, the only question is what path will he take to get there.

The reasons why Shabazz Muhammad should play for the Runnin Rebels (in no particular order):

1.      Vegas is a basketball Mecca – it’s all here, there is nowhere that can compete with Las Vegas in terms of basketball prowess and exposure. Besides UNLV being a traditional basketball powerhouse, we have the NBA summer league, USA Olympic team training camp, qualifiers, and exhibitions, Impact Basketball Academy, Tarkanian Basketball Academy, Thomas and Mack Center, Mendenhall Center (soon to be completed), likely stadium projects that will eventually snag the Sacramento Kings – it’s all here.

2.      Family – Any person who has succeeded at the highest levels, athlete or not, will tell you that they couldn’t have done it without their support system. Playing locally means that your parents, brothers, sisters, friends, former coaches, and mentors are available to you. Would you rather make a telephone call from another timezone when you are going through a tough time, or meet face-to-face and end it with a hug or handshake. Your games will be well attended, but will your family and friends be at all your home games? There are clear advantages to playing collegiate ball in Las Vegas. It’s also a two way street, besides the benefits your family gives to you, think about what you give to them by being local. Shabazz has not had a problem with travel around the country when on the road with Dream Vision, but he’s also had that support system there as his father is an assistant coach with the team. Have it both ways – continue doing what you love with the people you love backing you up – it’s a no brainer.

3.      Staying local – There is something to be said for staying local and being successful. Take Butler University. If you look at that team, it’s a small school with limited historical success in basketball. That said, they’ve just reached the national championship game twice in the last two years – incredible. Chalk some of it up to great coaching or luck, but also look at the roster. Ten out of the fourteen members of that team are from Indiana – the same state as Butler – they are locals, that’s 71% of the team! No disrespect to the excellent players past and present who represent UNLV Basketball but are from places far and near, but even they would agree – if talent is in your own backyard, keep it on lockdown. UNLV has quite a few scholarships available for when Shabazz Muhammad is going to start as a freshman, why not fill that team up and have the roster eventually be Anthony Marshall, Roscoe Allen, Shabazz Muhammad and Ben Carter as the locals. Quite a team, no? So Anthony Marshall graduates and let’s say Muhammad decides not to declare for the draft until after his sophomore year, then you get Dantley Walker and perhaps Nigel Williams-Goss added to that squad – fantastic team of locals, not counting the remaining great players we have / will be getting.

4.      Coaching style – Coach Dave Rice has been a man of his word, everything he has said up to now has come true, and I believe him when he says he is going to turn the Runnin’ Rebels back into the Runnin’ Rebels. He even maintains he will continue to keep the team’s defense up to the level it was under Lon Kruger, a defense that was feared and respected throughout college basketball. What player wouldn’t want to be a part of that system? Fast-break transition basketball is awesome to watch, and fun to play. Tarkanian’s teams thrived on quick scoring, and Coach Rice is a Tarkanian student. Shabazz would be ready to start right away at UNLV, the offense and defense would be tailored to his strengths, and an added benefit is Stacey Augmon is here not only teach how to play excellent defense, but as a former NBA player development coach he would prepare him for the NBA. This fits perfectly. Additionally, with a runnin' offense Shabazz's draft stock could rise considerably. An offense that runs closer to 70 ppg has a leading scorer with around 15-16 ppg, but an 80+ppg offense has much more shots and scorers could average closer to 20 ppg, maybe more. What has more significance, Shabazz averaging 15ppg or 20ppg? NBA teams would project him as having more all-star potential with 20ppg in college ball, which leads to a higher draft pick and more guaranteed $$$. It's that simple.

5.      Being the hero – "Local kid helps make UNLV champions again". You can’t script it any better than that. Why go to Duke, Kentucky, Louisville, or North Carolina where you are just the next cog in a system that their fans expect will be there again and again? That’s boring. Who wants to be the new kid buried in a lineup of Mr. (insert your state name here)’s playing in Lexington Kentucky? Why play for Arizona, it’s like Las Vegas – but boring. Forget that crap, stay and be a rock star or royalty in Las Vegas, be the guy to brings an already great program back to the promised land. That’s a story people want to hear, that’s a story the national media wants to write about. No matter if you become Lebron James or Greg Oden, Las Vegas will always appreciate and admire you, you will be a hero to this town. Can the same be said of one of the schools I mentioned? I sincerely doubt it. The impact of Shabazz Muhammad playing for UNLV goes beyond just his time here, be it for only one or all four years. Other excellent local players will want to come play, along with great players from around the nation, and all because one man decided it was the right thing to do. Brilliant.

Shabazz Muhammad playing for UNLV benefits himself, his family, his city, and his State. When you are a top-5 prospect, you write your own ticket. Be a Rebel, and become legendary.

Also would like to congratulate USC Transfer Bryce Jones for making the decision to become a Runnin’ Rebel, you won’t regret it! Likely more on Jones in a future story.

YouTube Clips of Shabazz Muhammad’s dominance:

More fun: