UNLV’s Nesby: I just want to win

Steve Carp

Thursday, Oct. 30, 1997 | 9:26 a.m.

Tyrone Nesby was facing a difficult decision. Or so it seemed.

With several of his teammates unable to join him on the floor for a variety of reasons, he figured to become the focal point of UNLV's offense.

Would Nesby look to score 30 points a game and draw attention to himself through padded stats at the risk of the Rebels losing?

Or would he try to gradually increase his offensive output and concentrate on developing a more sound all-around game, one that will likely increase the team's chances of winning and show the pro scouts what they really want to see -- a player who has all-around skills and a sound fundamental foundation with which to compete at the next level?

Nesby, the team's leading scorer from last year at 16.5 points per game, said the call was relatively easy.

"I want to win," he said at Wednesday's WAC media preview at the MGM Grand Hotel and Casino. "And whatever it takes for me to win, that's what I'll do.

"See, I've never been the guy on top. I've always been on the bottom or in the middle trying to work my way up. I see my role as making sure the team is focused and that there's no confusion. If I'm not hitting that night, someone else is going to have to step up."

There's a maturity to Nesby, both on and off the court, that makes you believe his ego can handle the myriad adjustments necessitated by the absence of starting front liners Keon Clark and Kevin Simmons until January.

Nesby will likely start the season at power forward, eventually returning to his more familiar small forward spot once Simmons joins the team Jan. 22.

"I'm going to take it as it comes," Nesby said of the different roles he will have to play for the Rebels. "I just want to make sure everything keeps flowing on the court."

Nesby spent the summer working on his game and got to participate with a touring team of NIT All-Stars that played in Japan in August. While he didn't get the minutes he thought he should, Nesby didn't grouse. He simply resumed preparing for the upcoming season, grateful for the experience of playing overseas.

He has accepted the work ethic coach Bill Bayno expects from his players and he has been one of the leaders during fall workouts.

"I always told my mother I wanted a big chip on my shoulder," Nesby said. "I want the responsibility and I'm comfortable being a leader.

"I don't know if you can separate the need to score from being an all-around player. You just want to go out and help the team any way you can. If they need you to score, you score. If they need you to rebound or play defense, that's what you do."

Bayno said the difference between last year's Nesby and this year's is huge.

"He's maturing," Bayno said.

"I've always asked Tyrone to work harder than he ever has and sometimes he doesn't think he can. And that can be frustrating at times. But he has been with us for a year and he knows what to expect and that I'm never going to be satisfied, so he has taken it upon himself to work harder and the results show.

"He wants to win and that's the most important thing."

Nesby said he and Bayno are on the same page.

"Yeah, me and coach, we have an understanding," he said. "I know he's pushing me because he wants me to be the best player I can and it makes me feel like he really cares."

But as much as he wants to lead this team and win, Nesby knows he can't do it all by himself.

"One guy can't win a game," he said. "But one guy can get everyone together to win a game."