Christian Wood - Orally commits to UNLV

Christian Wood orally commits to the UNLV 2013-14 class

(Video fixed 10:30a.m.)

Points of emphasis about his recruitment

• Appreciates the reputation and tradition at UNLV
• Believes UNLV is young and on the rise
•  Looked at the Rebels due to AAU coach’s relationship with Stacey Augmon
• Says looks forward to having Augmon as a mentor, aspires to be similar type of swingman player, appreciates him having helped develop Carmelo Anthony and J.R. Smith
• Appreciates that Augmon was a NBA player, what he brings to the table
• Wanted to pick a school close to home (Palmdale, CA)
• May attend Finlay Prep this coming season
• Major point (hidden in plain sight): Looks at the UNLV coaching staff and sees the former coaches of both Jimmer Fredette and Kawai Leonard, both NBA lottery picks

Profile

Christian Wood is 6’8”, entering his junior year, and plays power forward currently at William J. Knight High School in Palmdale, CA. As exhibited in his game footage he has an excellent 3-point-shot and dunks with regularity and authority. He has been described as extremely athletic for his size, and has been compared with Kevin Durant for body type. Overall, he has been described as a cross between Austin Daye and Tracy McGrady. By his own admission, he needs to build strength so he can rebound and fight for loose balls. Missed all but three games of last year’s high school season with a broken wrist. At his age, growing taller is still within the realm of possibility, but even if he does not grow another inch, he is the correct size for a power-forward. His shooting range will draw the defense out, allowing better looks for his teammates. He has the potential to be a 1^st team all-MWC type of player, and a good shot at being selected and competing at the next level. This is excellent news for UNLV and for Christian Wood and his family, he figures to be a prominent key to the Rebel’s future.

Rankings

• Scout.com lists him as a 4-star prospect, 33^rd best player overall and 9^th best power forward
• Espn.com lists him as a 4-star prospect (94 points), 37^th best player overall and 11^th best power forward
• Rivals.com lists him as a 3-star prospect
• Neil Neves @ Coast 2 Coast recruiting believes by the time 2013 arrives Wood could be the #1 west coast prospect.

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Video

Interview done by West Coast Hoops – May 22, 2011 (Topic, recruiting, people who influence his decision)

http://www.ihigh.com/westcoasthoops/video_895653.html

Christian Wood and others at Pangos spring showcase:

http://blip.tv/ballislife/katin-reinhardt-stanley-johnson-zena-edosomwan-jordan-bell-christian-wood-showout-at-pangos-spring-showcase-5230769

Highlight mixtape

Highlights from 2011 Memorial Day tournament (he’s wearing #3)

Season awards

Season awards

Every season, players deserve to be recognized for their accomplishments. Let these awards recognize some of the outstanding accomplishments of last season, and are no way a slight to anyone who was not recognized. Unlike Tee ball, not everyone will get a trophy. Let’s celebrate the Runnin’ Rebels!

Points leader – Chace Stanback 

Chace led the Rebels in points made during the season, making 162/339 field goals, equaling 47% . His scoring led the UNLV to its first national ranking of the season, and helped the team dominate the 76 Anaheim Classic, winning MVP. When the team was without significant contributions from Tre’von Willis, Stanback was leading the way. His best game of the season came against Wisconsin scoring 25 points in 32 minutes, helping the Rebels to beat the highly respected Badgers 68-65. Chace also had nearly a high at 24 points in the 94-79 beating at TCU. That game was mostly garbage time, with an attendance of about 300, but it helped the Rebels regain some confidence going into a showdown with the top-rated SDSU Aztecs. Stanback averaged 13.0 PPG for the season.

- Honorable mention – Tre’von Willis

Willis scored 382 points on 125 of 289 shooting, equaling 43%. He actually had a slightly higher average than Stanback with 13.2 PPG, but played less due to injuries / suspension. Willis’s highest production came against the New Mexico Lobos on February 23 where he scored 25 points and we won in overtime 77-74.

Rebounds leader – Chace Stanback

Who would have guessed it? One would assume it would have been one of the ‘big 3’ who would have earned that title, but Stanback led the team in rebounds last season. Stanback collected 60 offensive rebounds and 135 defensive rebounds totaling 195 boards.  He averaged 5.9 a game. There are qualities that make someone more akin to rebounding, size, position, and hustle are a few. Chace is 6’8” so he can grab basketball over smaller guards and forwards. Chace seemed to be in the right place at the right time, either by luck or intuition.

- Honorable mention – Quintrell Thomas

A member of the three-headed-monster, he racked up 64 offensive and 107 defense rebounds for a total of 171 boards. He did this playing considerably almost half the minutes that Stanback did, 507 vs 967, so his rebound production was on-par with what one would expect. Surely, had Q been given the minutes he would have led the category.

Steals leader – Tre’von Willis

Tre’von Willis led the team with 46, making him leader of the pickpockets. This number was actually an improvement over the previous season’s 41 steals. Steals are quite valuable because they take away the opposing teams opportunity to score, and usually lead to transition points.

-Honorable mentions – Anthony Marshall and Justin Hawkins

Anthony Marshall had 42 steals, and Justin Hawkins had 41. Both figure to be key pieces of UNLVs forward progress, and one or both will have to do even better in the absence of Willis. Also impressive about Hawkins, he had 41 playing over 200 less minutes than Willis or Marshall.

Three point shots leader – Oscar Bellfield

Oscar Bellfield made 66 of 174 attempts, equaling nearly 38%. In addition to being the three-point leader, he was running the team at point guard, which takes a lot of energy. While this past season as a team was not stellar from beyond the arc, 38% is still an impressive figure. Hopefully a more potent offense will free up shooters from three helping Oscar to shoot even more next season.

- Honorable mention – Chace Stanback

Chace Stanback made 47 of 130, equaling 36% from 3. Provided he is not suspended for too long his shooting will be critical with the absence of Willis.

Blocks leader – Carlos Lopez

Carlos Lopez led the way last year with 25 blocks. A formidable blocking presence tends to shut down easy layups and dunks, making a team have to take more jump shots. Lopez was only a freshman last year – look for big things from him, he has the chance to be really special.

- Honorable mention – Quintrell Thomas

Quintrell Thomas was right behind Lopez with 24 blocks. This was an impressive feat seeing how he is only 6’8” as compared to Lopez at 6’11”. Both Thomas and Lopez enjoyed first year success at UNLV and look to capitalize further next year.

Newcomer of the year – Quintrell Thomas

Although he transferred in from Kansas, it is a tough task to crack the starting lineup in your first year with a team that wins as many games with the Rebels. Quintrell did just that. He became a force to be reckoned with once he figured out how to deal with Coach Kruger’s constant substitutions and foul trouble. Because he came from Kansas, there was a lot of hype and expectations for Thomas – 

but he has lived up to it. Expect great things from him.

- Honorable mention – Carlos Lopez

As a redshirt freshmen he provided energy and important production that helped the Rebels succeed this past year.

Most improved player – Anthony Marshall

Marshall elevated his game between his freshman and sophomore years. His numbers jumped from 5.3 points, 3.1 rebounds, 1.7 assists and 1.3 steals per game to 9.7 points, 4.0 rebounds and 1.2 steals per game. He filled in admirably when Willis was out, and his leaping ability was unmatched during the year, producing highlight dunks. The future looks very bright for this local player’s junior season.

Hustle guy / fan favorite – Carlos Lopez

From his bouncy fro to his fauxhawk, Carlos has been a colorful addition to the roster and has won the support of the fans. When he enters the game, its instant energy. Besides putting more energy and effort when he is in, he’s shown some crafty footwork and fakes that make him exciting to watch. He also led the team in blocked shots, so that’s always fun. Look for Lopez to get even better and earn more minutes next season.

Mr. Quotes – Quintrell Thomas

Hardly did a week go by without Quintrell getting quoted in the newspaper saying something short but extremely accurate about what needed to happen next game, or what just happened. Somewhere during last season a Thomas quote became a staple of any good article. Frankly I want more, this guy has a lot to say, but he says it in a mature manner. Kudos to Quintrell for talking the talk and backing it up.

Iron man award – Oscar Bellfield

He played more than any other rebel last season, 1111 minutes. No other Rebel even cracked 1000. He averaged 33.7 minutes per game and never missed one. This figure is way up from the 28 MPG the season previous. Hopefully all those minutes didn’t wear him out. Please take an ice bath, we’ll need you healthy for your final campaign as a Rebel.

Celebrating UNLV history award – Dave Rice and Stacey Augmon

It is always good to see a team celebrate its history, and it’s also important in doing so not to trivialize the job by filling it with an alumni. UNLV met both criteria by selecting Coach Dave Rice and Assistant Coach Stacey Augmon, both members of the 1990 championship team. I would have to call Stacey Augmon’s move to the Rebels more of a personal sacrifice, so I think it’s worth celebrating. He had a great gig going for him with the Denver Nuggets, and obviously a good life in Denver. No doubt, Stacey made some sacrifices to come and be a Rebel again. Welcome back!

MVP – Chace Stanback

When UNLV was headed in the right direction last season he was right out front. Stanback is the reason why the Rebels were initially ranked, and he dominated the Anaheim classic, winning MVP there as well. Clearly, you have to give the points and rebound leader the award, he has earned it. Hopefully Stanback is able to top his Junior year and lead the Rebels further into the NCAA tournament.

Also, congratulations to Shawn Marion and Joel Anthony to being key parts of their teams march to the NBA Finals. UNLV Athletics had this snazzy graphic posted, so I thought I would share:

Rice, Rice Baby....

Both the LVRJ and LV Sun are breaking that Dave Rice has been selected as the next UNLV Men's Basketball head coach. With the way many in the media have talked over the past week, the eventual winner was really never in question, although post-interviews many thought and hoped Theus had pulled off a coup. None the less, Rice is the chosen one, congratulations to him! Lets all focus on the future.

UNLV has announced the formal introduction (press conference) will be 4pm Monday, and the fan reception @ 5pm. in the Cox Pavilion. I can't make it (but would love to be there), if anyone is planning on going please send all commentary and pictures taken from the event to rebelreign1@gmail.com and I will be sure to post it here, front and center.

As far as Dave Rice's staff, there is additional speculation that his assistants will be Stacey Augmon and Justin Hutson.

                                   

Stacey Augmon

Most should be familiar with Stacey Augmon, former member of the UNLV Runnin' Rebels from 1987 - 1991, member and major contributor to the championship team. Augmon was also a teammate of Dave Rice.

- Augmon went on to become a lottery pick and was taken 9th overall by the Atlanta Hawks. He enjoyed a lengthy career in the NBA where he played 15 seasons and 1001 games, ending with averages of 8.0 ppg and 3.2 rpg.

- Augmon also was a member of the 1988 Olympic Team that earned a bronze medal in Seoul (the last team the USA fielded comprised only of NCAA players). 

- He ended his NBA career by becoming the player development coach with the Denver Nuggets. He is still employed by the Nuggets in the same job.

- Stacey Augmon was inducted into the UNLV hall of fame in the class of 2002.

Justin Hutson

Justin Hutson is probably not someone you are familiar with, he currently works for San Diego State University as an assistant coach. Hutson, who is also the team's recruiting coordinator, is instrumental in player instruction, skill development and assisting in all areas of the Aztec's program.

- Was credited in large part for being able to identify and land Kawhi Leonard as well as Chase Tapley.

-  Huston's coaching speciality is guards, in 2007, he helped Richie Williams rank first in the MWC in steals, second in assists and sixth in assist-to-turnover ratio. He was also instrumental in Brandon Heath ranking second in scoring, sixth in assists, third in steals and three-point field goals made per game and seventh in assist-to-turnover ratio. The last three seasons, he has tutored D.J. Gay as he has played in all 103 games (83 starts), we all know how phenomenal he has been this past year.

- Huston has also been credited with helping SDSU with tough-as-nails defense. The last three seasons, Hutson has taken on the role of defensive coordinator and helped the Aztecs rank first in the MWC in scoring defense and steals in 2008-09, and in scoring defense and rebounding defense in `09-10. On a national level, SDSU had one of the stingiest defenses in 2009-10, allowing just 61.8 points to rank 36th among all Division I schools.

- Huston's success existed before SDSU. Hutson served as an assistant coach at Cal Poly. The Mustangs went 10-19 in 2005-06, doubling their previous season's win total. He was responsible for recruiting the 2006 Big West Freshman of the Year and landing two freshmen on the Big West all-freshmen team, along with bringing two first-team all-Big West selections and the defensive player of the year to San Luis Obispo in 2006-07.

- Before arriving at Cal Poly, Hutson served as the head varsity coach at Bakersfield High School where he led it to a CIF Central Section Championship and four appearances in the playoffs in four seasons. His 2004 team was ranked as high as No. 22 in the nation and fourth in California and his 2003 squad finished the season with a 25-5 record and won the section title. Prior to entering the high school ranks, he was an assistant coach at his alma mater, Cal State Bakersfield, for two seasons (1999-00).