By JOSH NEWMAN
NEW YORK – Stephen Zimmerman staying home to attend UNLV next year changes the perception of the Rebels in 2015-16.
With the 7-foot center in the fold, at least one other Rebels recruit, Derrick Jones, seems to have a pretty clear idea of how good UNLV can be next winter.
“Honestly, to me, I think we can win the Mountain West Tournament,” Jones told SNY.tv Friday night after flashing his athleticism with several highlight dunks en route to 14 points and 10 rebounds in the Jordan Brand Regional Game at Barclays Center. “I feel like we can be a top contender in the NCAA Tournament as well.”
Zimmerman is the crown jewel of head coach Dave Rice‘s recruiting class, which also includes Orangeville Prep point guard Jalen Poyser, a four-star recruit just like Jones, who starred for Archbishop Carroll (Pa.).
UNLV has not won a Mountain West Tournament since 2008, but it is easy to understand why Jones thinks it can happen immediately.
Aside from Zimmerman, the Rebels bring back Christian Wood if he decides not to declare for the NBA Draft, which has a decision date of April 26. The 6-foot-11 sophomore is currently slotted as the 26th overall pick by DraftExpress.com.
“I was really happy having Zimmerman commit,” Jones said. “The coaches have told me I need to come in ready to score and that’s just a weight lifted off my shoulders. Zimmerman is a top player and he knows how to score. Everybody else that’s there right now, they can as well, so we’re going be good.”
In the wake of Rice landing Zimmerman, he may not be done. Washington transfer Nigel Williams-Goss and Mercer transfer Ike Nwamu are both visiting campus this weekend. Nwamu, a 6-foot-6 guard who averaged 15.1 points last season for the Bears as a junior, would be eligible immediately.
Additionally, two players who transferred to UNLV last season, former Rutgers guard Jerome Seagears and ex-Oregon forward Ben Carter, will be eligible in 2015-16 and both figure to make an immediate impact.
“Honestly, I don’t know who they’re recruiting right now,” Jones said. “I’m just happy with the players we got now and the transfers we got last year. We just have to go out there and handle business.”
