Friday, Oct. 23, 2009 | 2:36 p.m.
A full week into UNLV hoops practice and sophomore forward Chace Stanback still is a no-show.
That’s been the most disappointing part of the official start of the 2009-10 season.
When last seen wearing a uniform and eligible to play, Stanback wore the power blue of UCLA when the Bruins advanced to the Final Four two seasons ago.
He frequently dominated at Rebels practices last season, when he redshirted, but a sore left ankle -- the worst twist of his life, he said -- has kept Stanback on the sideline over the past week.
Friday morning, he walked up and down the angled concrete tunnel outside the Cox Pavilion practice gym, with trainer Dave Tomchek overseeing his latest rehab maneuver. Later he watched his teammates, who ran drills and executed two 3-minute scrimmages, on the court.
He shot around a bit on a side hoop. He was very careful moving on that tender ankle.
Tuesday will be two weeks since the injury, said UNLV coach Lon Kruger. It is getting better, and it’s a good thing that the season opener against Pittsburg State is three weeks away.
But the more Stanback – who figures to be a major figure, with point guard Derrick Jasper and guard Tre’Von Willis, on the Rebels this season – doesn’t play, the more UNLV fans sweat.
Until he practices, the Rebels are just going through the motions.
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