Last Year: 19-13; Seventh (7-11) in the Mountain West Conference, No Postseason
Head Coach: Kevin Kruger (Third Year; 37-27 at UNLV, with no NCAA Tournament appearances)
Projected Starting Lineup
| PG Dedan Thomas, Jr – 6’1″, 170 – Freshman |
| SG Keylan Boone – 6’8″, 200 – Senior (5th) |
| SF Luis Rodriguez – 6’6″, 220 – Senior (5th) |
| PF Jalen Hill – 6’6″, 230 – Senior (5th) |
| C Kalib Boone – 6’9″, 215 – Senior (5th) |
Projected Starters’ 2022-23 Stats
Dedan Thomas, Jr: Consensus Top 50 recruit
Keylan Boone:
Luis Rodriguez: 10.7 ppg, 5.7 rpg, 1.1 apg, 1.7 spg – 40.5% FG
Jalen Hill:
Kalib Boone:
Experienced Reserves
| G Justin Webster – 6’3″, 190 – Senior (5th) |
| F/C Isaiah Cottrell – 6’11”, 245 – Junior |
| F Rob Whaley, Jr – 6’7″, 260 – Junior |
| G Shane Nowell – 6’6″, 220 – 6’6″, 220 – Junior |
| G Jackie Johnson III – 5’11”, 185 – Junior |
| F/C Karl Jones – 6’10”, 260 – Senior (5th) |
Experienced Reserves’ 2022-23 Stats
Justin Webster: 8.2 ppg, 2.2 rpg, 1.2 apg, 0.8 spg – 46.0% 3FG
Isaiah Cottrell: 4.2 ppg, 2.8 rpg, 0.5 apg, 0.7 bpg – 34.0% FG @ West Virginia in 2021-22
Rob Whaley, Jr: 14.4 ppg, 5.9 rpg, 2.0 apg, 1.2 bpg – 52.2% FG @ College of Southern Idaho
Shane Nowell: 4.8 ppg, 3.3 rpg, 0.9 apg, 0.8 spg – 32.9% FG
Jackie Johnson III: 6.3 ppg, 1.2 rpg, 0.8 apg, 0.8 spg – 40.3% FG
Karl Jones: 2.8 ppg, 1.9 rpg, 0.6 bpg – 85.7% FG
Freshmen
| F Jacob Bannarbie – 6’9″, 230 – Freshman |
| G Brooklyn Hicks – 6’3″, 175 – Freshman |
Has it really been only a decade since UNLV went to the NCAA Tournament? It feels like significantly longer than that to the fans in Las Vegas. Where, by the way, they’ve begun hosting the NIT. Which, like the Big Dance, didn’t bother to invite the hometown team last year.
Basketball fans around the Mojave Desert have seen more than just the NIT’s arrival in recent years. They’ve seen the prep hoops scene in the area flourish, with individual stars and programs alike winning increasing national renown. The Mountain West Conference Tournament has called the Thomas & Mack Center home for most of the past two decades. And still, the University of Nevada-Las Vegas men’s college basketball team, whose home it all is, looks on, with no trophies in their hands. This year’s team is out to change that, and reassert their program’s place as a power out West.
Head coach and former UNLV player Kevin Kruger’s first task this spring was to find a way of cushioning the blow his team absorbed with the departures of star guard Elijah Harkless along with five other guys from last year’s rotation. In his final season of eligibility, former Oklahoma guard Harkless had an extraordinary year, leading Kruger’s team in points and assists while being named All-MWC. Now, Kruger has to replace a guy who produced 19 points per game, hit 53 triples, and made more than a third of the team’s made free throws. Right behind Harkless was Keshon Gilbert, gone to Iowa State; he was second on last year’s team in points, assists, and made free throws while leading the team in steals and shooting 38% from deep.
Solution? Recruit the son of a former star, who’s a star in his own right, get him to reclassify and hand over the reins. Dedan ‘DJ’ Thomas Jr has been rated as one of the best freshman point guards in America, and Kruger has entrusted the youngster with Runnin’ his squad. And while Kruger’s teams don’t play quite as fast as they did back in Dedan Sr’s day, DJ has all the skills to lead a very effective offense. “For as long as I can remember I’ve played up and always been challenged and had to grind it out,” Thomas told 247 Sports upon his commitment. “I feel like this time is no different. I feel like Ive accomplished all my high school goals, and there’s nothing more I need from it and its time for me to go to the next level be challenged day in and day out, grind it out and find my way like I always have.”
Thomas has been heralded for the maturity of his game, as he controls pace and directs screens and spacing like a veteran. With a quick first step and good handle, Thomas is adept at getting into the lane and making things happen around the rim. Thomas is great at drawing contact and finishing through it, and if his drive is stopped, Thomas has a reliable fall-away jumper on either side of the lane. While he does love to score, Thomas is always mindful of where his buddies are and when they’ve got a good look, he will get them the ball. A quick and aggressive defender, Thomas should be able to hold his own immediately despite going up against older, stronger players. That’s because as much as any of his attributes, Thomas has been lauded for his fearless nature and toughness going to the rim. The challenge of running a Mountain West team as a freshman is a big one, and wouldn’t be asked of most young players. Fortunately for Kruger and Co., Thomas isn’t most young players. Given the hype that has been building around the Henderson Liberty product since he won a State title two years ago, UNLV fans can’t wait to get their first look at the younger Thomas in scarlet and gray, and Kruger is going to give his star recruit all the minutes he can handle.
Kalib and Keylan Boone are twins who are reuniting for one last college road trip around the 2023-24 schedule, and have chosen UNLV to be their vehicle. Now, they’re hoping that Keylan will have his waiver approved to play this year. Because he is a multi-transfer non-graduate, the NCAA may not allow him to compete until next year. And unfortunately, Kalib was charged with a misdemeanor DUI just a week ago, and there may be a punishment or suspension in his future.
Kalib spent his previous four seasons at Oklahoma State, while Keylan was there for three years prior to transferring to Pacific last season. Keylan never really carved out the role he was hoping for in Stillwater, averaging 14 minutes, 4.4 points and 3.3 rebounds on 31% shooting from downtown. Last year, though, Keylan led the Tigers in scoring and splashed 41% of his tries from the land of trey. At 6’8″, Keylan is long enough to be an effective wing defender, but his is not a game of brawn. That’s because Keylan Boone is a sniper, and Kruger will be very pleased if Keylan can continue making closer to 40% of his treys. For the first time since his freshman year, Keylan attempted almost as many shots inside the arc as outside of it, and he shot 68% near the rim, per Bart Torvik. If Keylan can knock down jumpers and keep defenses honest with a hard cut every now and then, he will be able to translate his newfound success from Stockton to the bright lights of Las Vegas.
Kalib isn’t an outside shooter; he prefers to do his damage with at least one hand on the rim
Kalib’s minutes in Stillwater fluctuated quite a bit between his second and third seasons, but he finished strong by posting career-best numbers and being named to the All-Big 12 third team last year. A highly mobile big guy and terrific shot-blocker, Kalib has averaged 8.8 points, 4.3 boards and 1.3 blocks across the past three seasons. Unlike his brother, Kalib isn’t an outside shooter; he prefers to do his damage with at least one hand on the rim. Nearly half of Kalib’s baskets around the hoop last year were dunks, and he loves to get the bench and fans riled up with thunderous slams whenever he’s within arm’s reach of the basket. Given that Kalib owns a 7’3 wingspan, he’s within reach of the basket comparatively often. From about 15 feet and in, Kalib is a very effective scorer. He doesn’t try to stretch the defense with his jump shot very often; though he did make a career-high 76% of his free throws a year ago. A good defender, Kalib’s issues have been more related to turnovers on offense and too many fouls at both ends of the floor. Though he’s gotten better over the years, Kalib will still pick up over-aggressive fouls, sometimes in clusters. And though he’s a good passer, he isn’t a natural with the ball in his hands and Kalib sometimes tries to do too much. Kruger hopes for another career year for each of the Boone twins this winter, and if they can approach that level of production, they’ll combine with Thomas to form the backbone of this team.
Kruger wasn’t finished raiding the state of Oklahoma after landing Kalib Boone. He went back to the Sooner State for Jalen Hill, and the veteran forward joins a talented frontcourt hoping to have a Harkless-esque final season. A California native, Hill attended Clark high school in Las Vegas, and returns with four years and 73 starts in the Big 12 under his belt. Over his final two seasons in Norman, Hill started every game, averaging 9.4 points, 5.8 rebounds and 1.4 assists. Two years ago, Hill focused his efforts inside; understandable, given that he’s made 63% of his career attempts around the rim, per Bart Torvik. Last season, though, Hill showed better spot-up shooting range than ever before. Though he shot just 29% on his career-best 16 triples, Hill made 49% of his jumpers inside the arc as well, and that range adds a nice dimension to his post-up game. A good and versatile defender, Hill is physically strong and can hold his ground against bigger players. He’s a very good rebounder, and finished 10th overall and seventh in defensive rebounds last year in the rough-and-tumble Big 12 a season ago. With his strength and variety of skills, Hill can play in big or smaller lineups and offers Kruger some flexibility.
UNLV fans have had to wait a long time to get a proper look at Isaiah Cottrell, last year’s top transfer in the post. Cottrell played in just one game last season before being shut down; he had tried to play through the injury but in that one game, Cottrell broke a bone on his foot and needed surgery plus a significant amount of rehab. “It was tough, a lot of ups and downs early in the season figuring out what was going on,” Cottrell told the Las Vegas Review-Journal. Now that he’s finally been fully cleared to play, Cottrell will be the biggest player in Kruger’s frontcourt, and one of the most skilled. “He’s going to continue to grow his skill set offensively,” Kruger has said of his long-awaited addition. “We love his shot. His shot looks good. We want to get him some reps, give him some practice at that within the flow of how we want our offense to run. I think he can be a great option not only to stretch the floor offensively, but provide a strong rim presence. And then of course defensively be a good rim protector and rebounder. I think he’s also got the ability to switch and guard multiple positions. That’s why we’re so excited about him.” Cottrell should be able to play the 5 spot at times for Kruger, and should be an interesting pairing with Kalib Boone, as both bigs can move and will block shots. With greater depth overall and hopefully a healthy Cottrell, UNLV should be better on the boards this year. Which would help a lot, because they ranked 245th in total rebounds and 291st in the land in defensive rebounding average last year.
After testing out the NBA Draft process, Luis Rodriguez has returned to get buckets and terrorize opponents who are trying to make passes. A big, strong wing, Rodriguez is a streaky shooter and great defender who does his best offensive work in and around the paint. He spent the first four years of his career at Ole Miss – including one spent redshirting – but now enters his final campaign as UNLV’s returning leader in scoring, rebounding and steals. Rodriguez can make outside shots, but is a 30% career shooter from deep and he just hasn’t been able to do so on an every-game basis throughout his career. Once he gets into the lane, though, Rodriguez attacks the basket and is always looking for a chance to dunk. With his strength and explosiveness inside, Rodriguez can get it done even against bigger players. He can guard almost anyone and helps key UNLV’s defensive pressure, and Rodriguez is terrific at jumping a pass at the top of the key and taking it to the other end for a slam. With his anticipation and strength, he can check big wings, and if Kruger wants to play him at the 2 spot and Hill at the 3, UNLV will have a lineup which should be able to pound the glass and still get out and run.
With similar size to Rodriguez, Shane Nowell adds contrast to the wing as a better shooter. Though he averaged less than five points on the season, Nowell’s outside production was important as injuries mounted – until he also was lost for a few weeks prior to season’s end. A former Top 100 recruit who hardly played at Arizona before transferring, Nowell is thought to have untapped scoring potential. His 31.9% rate from downtown last year was hurt by a shooting slump when Nowell returned to the lineup in March, but if he can consistently knock down shots this year, Nowell will continue to see his role expand.
Justin Webster and Jackie Johnson III are back to provide support to Thomas – and to push the youngster for minutes. Johnson is the only other real point guard on the roster, but the diminutive third year guard has coughed up 20 more turnovers than he’s handed out assists so far in his career. While he hasn’t yet set the world on fire as a playmaker, Johnson can hit outside shots, and Kruger would love to see him closer to 40% than his current 36% mark through two years. Johnson is the smallest of UNLV’s players, but he has quick hands and feet defensively.
| Five Stats Which Tell The Tale (with national ranks) |
| 8.9 – Steals Per Game – (10th) |
| 47.3% – Team Rebounding Rate (306th) |
| .355 – Free Throw Attempts Per Field Goal Attempt (64th) |
| .578 – Opponent Assists Per FG Made (322nd) |
| .494 – Team Assists Per FG Made (210th) |
Webster had some big games last year, and the former Hawai’i guard hit a career-best 46% of his triples a season ago. With 156 career treys at a 38% rate on his resumé, Webster joins Keylan Boone as Kruger’s top deep threats. If Boone can’t go, Webster’s importance and role will dramatically increase. While he usually plays off the ball, Webster is an efficient perimeter player and has handed out 1.5 assists for every career turnover. Webster offers more defensive versatility than Johnson, and despite the arrival of Thomas and so many bigger wings, Webster isn’t prepared to become just some reserve. He’ll likely be the team’s sixth man, and Kruger is counting on Webster to balance the team’s shot chart.
Once upon a time, Rob Whaley, Jr. was being recruited by big-time teams and looked on track to be a Division I player right out of high school. Unfortunately, he gained quite a bit of weight and lost all of that attention from the major colleges by the end of his senior year. So he went to the College of Southern Idaho, worked exceedingly hard to get down from well over 300 pounds, and now has earned his spot on a big-time roster. Whaley is still a big dude, and when he comes down the lane is generally looking to throw down aggressively. He can also make outside shots; he hit 16 triples at a 34.0% rate last season, and Whaley’s increasing versatility as a scorer will make him a tough cover lined up along with Kruger’s big-at-each-position rotation. Back when Whaley was in high school, he got to know then-Texas Tech assistant coach Barret Peery on the recruiting trail. As Whaley related to the Las Vegas Sun, Peery told Whaley that he liked the post player’s scoring game, but wouldn’t recruit him because of his weight. Peery is now an assistant at UNLV, and Whaley says “He (Peery) loves me now.” There are plenty of forwards on this roster now, but Whaley’s explosiveness around the lane and versatility in getting buckets should see him win a useful role this winter.
| Five Out-of-Conference Games to Keep an Eye on |
| vs Creighton – December 13 |
| vs Saint Mary’s – December 16 |
| N – Colorado / Richmond – November 21 |
| @ Dayton – December 6 |
| N – Florida State – November 20 |
Karl Jones adds plenty more size and strength up front, but played a deep reserve role last season in his own debut season at the Division I level. He competed for three different junior college programs prior to signing on with UNLV, and offers a true pivot off the bench. Jacob Bannarbie will also join the race for minutes up front. The freshman from Alaska has good size and even better athletic ability, and should offer a different look in the middle as he gains strength and experience. His recruitment picked up steam as he finished his prep career, and Kruger is excited to see how the energetic young big’s development will continue. UNLV’s final incoming freshman is Brooklyn Hicks, a scoring guard from Washington. Hicks held offers from Cincinnati and San Diego State, but chose to journey South to the desert. He can make plays for his teammates as well as scoring the ball, and the rangy Hicks makes things happen in general around the lane when he puts it on the floor. Hicks averaged more than 30 points as a high school senior, and will see the floor if he can keep it up.
UNLV’s struggles weren’t limited to the boards last year. They got absolutely torched from long range, ranking 300th or worse in the country in opponent 3FG%, makes and attempts per game. Kruger’s team forced plenty of turnovers, though, and with more length on the perimeter this time around, they should be able to cause lots more mayhem while limiting at least some of those quality looks to the other guys. It will also be nice that Kruger has retained all of his assistant coaches from last winter, after having to replace all three heading one offseason ago. That continuity should help the new faces to adjust, and Kruger is appreciative of them heading into the new season.
“It’s huge. Last year I didn’t really understand the importance of continuity. I was the only guy [the players] looked at and had any familiarity with,” Kruger said this summer. “This year, every player or recruit will have a relationship with at least one of the coaches before we even get started. I think that familiarity and those relationships are going to pay huge dividends.”
With expectations for a better run of health, familiar coaching staff, and a potential new star running the show, UNLV looks strong heading into Kruger’s third year. The first couple weeks of December may prove a lot about this group, as UNLV will face Dayton, Saint Mary’s and Creighton in one ten-day stretch. If Keylan Boone’s waiver is not approved, outside shooting could be a sore spot for this group, but the arrival of Thomas should transform the team’s backcourt. And if the newcomers up front – including Cottrell – can even things out on the glass, UNLV shouldn’t face so many comeback attempts. It’s been awhile since Las Vegas fans have gotten to cheer for the home team in prestigious postseason games, but this group should provide plenty of excitement as they chase down that elusive Dance invitation.
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