Related content
UNLV basketball is set to bring in a big recruiting class in 2020, with six players signed and a seventh verbally committed. Based simply on the sheer size of the class, it’s fair to say that this is going to be a foundational group for the Runnin’ Rebels.
So what is the future of the program going to look like? T.J. Otzelberger didn’t recruit this class based on size, athleticism or star rankings; instead, the first-year head coach has put a premium on intelligence and skill, with one trait emerging as the most important.
Otzelberger wants players who know how to move the ball.
“Passing is the main thing,” Otzelberger said. “I think we got a lot of it.”
The class is made up of guards Nick Blake, Isaac Lindsey, Donavan Yap and Nick Fleming, wings Reece Brown and Devin Tillis and big man Jhaylon Martinez. All except Tillis have signed, and Otzelberger thinks they can all execute his offense — especially when it comes to sharing the ball.
“Nick can lead the break,” Otzelberger said. “Jhaylon is a gifted passer out of the post. Reece is a multi-positional player and a really good passer. Lindsey can shoot it and move the ball. Yap has really good guard skills. Nick is a dynamic playmaker in transition.”
Blake is playing a post-grad year at IMG Academy in Florida and Fleming is playing juco ball at Highland CC in Illinois; the rest of the class is made up of high-school prospects.
Blake is rated the No. 125 player in the country by 247Sports, and the Las Vegas native said his post-grad year at IMG will help him contribute right away when he gets to UNLV.
“IMG has done a great job of getting all of us ready for the next level,” Blake said. “I’m definitely ready for college right now. By the time I leave I’ll be in the best shape of my life.”
The 6-foot-3 Yap is currently averaging 20.8 points per game at Arbor View while shooting 46.0 percent from the field. He’s also posting 6.3 assists and 2.7 steals per game.
Tillis is averaging 17 points, eight rebounds and four assists per game at Windward High School in Los Angeles. In a game against Sierra Canyon last week (a team that includes two McDonald’s All-Americans, as well as LeBron James’ son), Tillis poured in 29 points.
The scoring is nice, but what Otzelberger really likes about the 6-foot-6 forward is his ability to play team basketball.
“He’s told me he loves positionless basketball, and he loves that I can almost play the 1 through 4,” Tillis said. “Also, he loves my IQ and how much I can get other guys involved.
“That’s big for me,” he continued. “You can score just by moving the ball and getting your other teammates open.”
Brown (6-foot-9) and Martinez (6-foot-11) have the size to play in the post, and both have the skill level to play at a high pace and keep the ball moving.
Martinez’s improved ability to play inside this season has impressed Otzelberger.
“People knew him because he can shoot, but he’s big and physical and can play 1-on-1,” Otzelberger said. “And if you send [an extra defender] at him, he can make that pass out to open shooters.”
Fleming is averaging 10.9 points and 4.8 assists per game this season as a sophomore at the junior college level. Lindsey suffered a hip injury during a football season and is currently sidelined, but he is a high-level outside shooter and, like the rest of the class, he can pass.
Aside from passing the ball, UNLV’s incoming 2020 recruits also have something else in common: They’re already invested in the Runnin’ Rebels.
“They’re doing great,” Tillis said. “I definitely see the vision. Right now they’re going out and trying to play hard to complete the goal. I see it going in a great direction.”
Blake agrees with that sentiment.
“I’m really excited,” Blake said. “I think with the caliber of talent and players we have, everybody is going to want to win. I know the incoming recruits are excited to get there and get to work. I feel we can be an AP top 25 caliber team.”
Mike Grimala can be reached at 702-948-7844 or [email protected]. Follow Mike on Twitter at twitter.com/mikegrimala.
Join the Discussion:
Check this out for a full explanation of our conversion to the LiveFyre commenting system and instructions on how to sign up for an account.
Full comments policy