Bayno waits for letters from four recruits

Steve Carp

Thursday, Nov. 13, 1997 | 9:08 a.m.

They said they were coming. But until they actually sign on the dotted line, you can't say they're yours.

So it's understandable why the UNLV basketball coaching staff was holding back on the celebration Wednesday.

Yes, Desmond Herod and Chris Richardson put the pen to the paper and signed their national letters of intent to play for the Rebels. And Shawn Marion and Matt Siebrandt were expected to do likewise today. But Bill Bayno won't be able to really smile until those letters are in his hand.

Consequently, Bayno can't talk about the newest Rebels until the paperwork has arrived at UNLV, which probably won't be until the weekend. But the players can talk about coming to UNLV. And they did.

Richardson, a 6-foot-7 forward from Mary Carroll High School in Corpus Christi, Texas, made his announcement Wednesday night at a televised press conference from his home.

He had been considering Arizona, Memphis, Texas and Houston. But he chose UNLV because of the chance to play and be part of a program that is returning to national prominence.

"I really liked the players and the coaches," Richardson said. "The players are a lot like my team here -- they're a family. And I trust Coach Bayno and Cyp (assistant coach Glynn Cyprien). I know they'll look out for me.

"Coach Bayno said as long as I work hard, I'll get a chance to play. And I believe him."

Herod, a 6-4 shooting guard from Adelphi Academy in Brooklyn, N.Y., signed Wednesday afternoon. He was the first recruit to commit to UNLV, deciding shortly after his visit to Las Vegas in mid-September. He also was the first to officially sign.

"I signed it front and back," Herod said. "You don't know what a relief this is. Now the coaches can't call me anymore."

Herod, who still has to get a passing score on the SAT to be eligible next season, plans to take the entrance test next month. He said his practice tests have been very good.

"I know I'm going to pass it," he said. "I wish I could take it today. That's how confident I am."

Marion, the 6-7 multi-dimensional sophomore swingman who is regarded as the best junior college player in the country, will make his signing official today at a press conference at Vincennes (Ind.) University. He too, is glad to be through with the process after verbally committing to the Rebels a few weeks ago.

"I'm excited," he said. "But everything's been OK the past few days. I'm happy and my mom (Elaine) is happy."

Marion and his teammates already are 2-0 and he's off to a good start personally. He still wants to have a strong sophomore season and the NBA remains an option if he lives up to his All-America billing.

Richardson made up his mind two weeks ago following his official visit to Las Vegas. But he wanted to keep his decision a surprise until the first day of the early signing period.

"I just wanted to have a little excitement," he said. "But it's a major relief to get it over with."

Richardson said he considered Memphis, where his close friend James Harris plays for the Tigers. But in the end, he chose to be a Rebel.

"I thought that UNLV was the right place for me to be."

Richardson's mother, Brenda Mack, agreed.

"I liked the way the team jelled," she said. "They were like a family and I thought that was a good atmosphere for Chris to be in. And I like the coaches. They genuinely care about the players."

And even though she liked UNLV, Mack said it was her son's decision to make.

"This was Chris' call," she said. "Chris has to go to school. I don't."

UNLV still was waiting to hear about Kevin Lyde's intentions. Lyde, a 6-9 senior center from Oak Hill Academy, is considering UNLV and Temple, though Maryland is also a possibility.