UNLV Rebels

By Rob Miech · November 7, 2008 · 1:43 PM

Editor’s note: Kevin Kruger will be writing a blog from Bulgaria, about his experiences in Europe and how Lukoil Akademik is faring, for the Sun. Look for his first piece to run in about 10 days. Check back for his periodic updates.

Once again, Kevin Kruger was the last player off a UNLV basketball court after practice late Friday morning.

This time, though, he wasn’t wearing a Rebels uniform. He’s leaving for Bulgaria on Saturday morning, so he wanted to see his dad’s team one last time before flying to Europe.

Lon Kruger begins his fifth season coaching UNLV with an exhibition against Washburn on Tuesday and the opener against San Diego on Nov. 15 at the Thomas & Mack Center.

“I’m excited about this team,” Kevin Kruger said of the 2008-09 UNLV squad. “This is a good group. People in Las Vegas are coming around. They’re starting to realize …

“If you could take them back to 2006 and offer the entire city season tickets, we’d sell out the entire season. I don’t really understand why that’s not happening now.”

The 6-foot-2 point guard led that team to the Sweet 16 of the NCAA tournament, UNLV’s first since 1991.

“This team has the makeup to be another great team,” Kruger said. “Ticket sales are doing well. I know they could do better. There are still seats out there. This will be a special team, a great group of seniors.”

Early Friday morning, Kruger signed a contract with Lukoil Akademik, the six-time defending champion of the top pro league, the NBL, in Bulgaria.

Lukoil is 3-0, with an average victory margin of 31 points. Kruger will not land in Sofia, Bulgaria, in time for Lukoil’s game against Spartak Pleven on Saturday.

Lukoil swingman Tim Pickett, out of Florida State, leads the NBL with 25 points a game. Guard Kenny Adeleke (Hofstra/Hartford) averages 16.7 points. Center Antonio Burks (Memphis) also is on Akademik.

Kruger has done some studying of Sofia on his computer.

“A little bit,” he said. “Things to do, stuff like that. But not much. I’m excited to go play. I’m ready.”

He spent last season with Utah of the NBA Development League but was disenchanted with the pay. Players in the mid-level slot, like Kruger, earned about $20,000.

“I wasn’t doing that again,” he said.

In 2007 he was the last player cut by the Orlando Magic before its season starter. The Milwaukee Bucks cut him last month.

“It’s time to make a little money,” Kruger said. “I’ll come back next summer. I’ll be 26. I’ll still have a couple of years to try to make the NBA if I want.

“Right now, for the next six months, I felt like it was an offer I had to take.”

Lukoil’s EuroBasket schedule will take it to Russia, Italy and Germany.

“The trips sound long but they won't be that long,” Kruger said. “It should be fun.”