UNLV keeps piling up talented frontcourt bodies for the future.
After landing Pittsburgh transfer Khem Birch and Findlay Prep’s Anthony Bennett, both McDonald’s All-Americans, the Rebels on Friday landed a commitment from UConn transfer Roscoe Smith.
“He brings invaluable experience after being a two-year starter at UConn and a starter on [their] national title team,” UNLV coach Dave Rice told Jon Rothstein of CBSSports.com.
“We’re intrigued by his versatility. He’s going to have an opportunity to make plays on the floor.”
UNLV will apply for a waiver to get Smith, a 6-foot-8 sophomore, eligible immediately after UConn was banned from the 2013 postseason, according to reports. The school could also opt to redshirt Smith for the 2013-14 season.
“Congrats to my brother @RoscoeSmith22 wish him nothing but the best at UNLV I know u will do big things.” Tweeted former UConn forward Alex Oriakhi, who himself transferred to Missouri.
UConn’s Michael Bradley also transferred to Western Kentucky and Andre Drummond and Jeremy Lamb declared for the NBA Draft.
Smith started on UConn’s national championship team in 2011, averaging 6.3 points and 5.2 rebounds. But he lost his starting job and averaged 4.4 points and 3.4 rebounds last year.
UNLV has also signed forward Demetris Morant, Shabazz Muhammad’s former teammate at Las Vegas Bishop Gorman, and reportedly has one scholarship left. They remain in the mix for 6-6 Philly Constitution wing Savon Goodman.
For more on Goodman’s latest visit, click here.
UofA BJ / May 25, 2012
Wow another west coast team loading up.
Nice pick up 4 the Rebs. UNLV top 10 team next year w/o Roscoe.
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UofA BJ / May 25, 2012
If they land savon and he can qualify, watch out.
Savon is such a explosive wing player in transition and in the paint, that he must have serious academic concerns 4 him 2 still b out there.
Seen this kid play going into jr yr and last summer and he has a NBA body at 16 and is a freak athletically.
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