At the start of the Dave Rice era at UNLV, the Runnin’ Rebels made use of the transfer market with mixed results. Of late there’s been a slight change in recruiting strategies, with the program focusing more on high school players and they’ve reeled in the talent. The latest addition: 6-foot-7 small forward Derrick Jones, who rates among the best players in America.
Jones, who announced his decision on national television, picked UNLV over offers from Auburn and UConn.
Jones is the second verbal commitment in the Class of 2015 for UNLV, which added guard Jaylen Poyser last month. UNLV will lose two seniors from its perimeter rotation at the end of this season in Cody Doolin and Jelan Kendrick, and the additions of Poyser and Jones will certainly help the Runnin’ Rebels moving forward.
Among the players who will have eligibility remaining next season are three freshmen, led by Rashad Vaughn, sophomore Kendall Smith and junior Daquan Cook. Jerome Seagears, a transfer from Rutgers who will have to sit out the 2014-15 season, will be a redshirt senior in 2015-16.