Tuesday, April 14, 1998 | 10:06 a.m.
Things couldn't have worked out much better for UNLV's top two players as they attempt to take their game to the next level.
Keon Clark and Tyrone Nesby improved their stock considerably at last week's Desert Classic NBA pre-draft camp in Phoenix. Both were all-tournament selections and, according to the scouts who were there, both worked hard.
"Both guys played well," Marty Blake, the NBA's director of scouting, said of the 6-foot-11 Clark and the 6-6 Nesby.
"Clark's very active. I thought he had two real good games. Nesby has a chance to play in the league. We've seen a lot of him and he shoots the ball well."
Dave Fredman, the Utah Jazz assistant coach who handles much of the team's scouting, interviewed both Rebels while in Phoenix and came away impressed.
"After meeting Keon, I thought he was a good kid," Fredman said of Clark, who was suspended from UNLV in early February for violation of team rules and played just 10 games as a senior. "He's got first-round talent. It depends on the team and how they perceive his off-the-court situation."
As for Nesby, Fredman liked the senior forward's attitude.
"Tyrone seems like the kind of kid who really enjoys playing basketball," he said. "He reminds me a lot of (current Jazz guard) Bryon Russell coming out of college. When Tyrone goes into the game, you know things are going to happen."
Rebels coach Bill Bayno watched some of the Desert Classic and came away with a good feeling.
"I was very proud of Keon and Tyrone," he said. "Keon showed the type of commitment he had in the preseason and he's got his body now. He was between 225 and 230 and he looked really good running the floor.
"Tyrone kept the momentum going from the end of the season and there were people telling me he may have played himself into the first round."
Those same people were telling Bayno that Clark may have put himself back into the lottery picture. Blake wouldn't confirm that and puts no stock in mock drafts, some of which have Clark as high as No. 6 overall after Phoenix.
But Clark apparently has done enough to move up in the picking order.
His agent, Tony Dutt, introduced Clark to nutritionist Mackie Shilstone, and the former Rebel has put on some of the necessary extra weight he'll need to compete at the NBA level. He was jumping well and still was quick around the basket.
"Keon looked pretty good," Fredman said. "He didn't dog it at all. If there was a negative, it was he was too unselfish."
A lot of times at these pre-draft camps, the big men don't see the ball as the guards hog the action. But Clark had several putback jams and was active with the ball.
"He showed his versatility," Bayno said. "I think Keon just had to go there and not fall on his face."
Blake said Clark likely would be invited to the final pre-draft camp in Chicago the first week of June. Nesby may be extended an invite as well. The draft will be held June 28 in Vancouver.
"This is not a great draft," Blake said. "But there's a lot of good, equal players."
Hoop du jour
* CAMP TIME: Applications are being accepted for the 1998 Bill Bayno Basketball Camp, which will be held on the UNLV campus for the fourth consecutive year. There will be two day sessions for boys ages 7-17 on June 22-25 and June 29-July 2. Cost is $195. The overnight camp for boys ages 10-17 runs July 26-30. The cost, which includes all meals and dormitory accommodations, is $300. There also will be two high school team camps, June 19-21 and June 26-28. For more information or to obtain an application form, call 895-3295.
* ROAD TRIPS: Coach Bill Bayno director of basketball operations Barry Rohrssen will be coaching a team of college all-stars in early June as part of the People To People International program. The team will play in Fiji and Tahiti June 7-17 and plans are for current Rebels Issiah Epps and Greedy Daniels to play on that squad. In addition, Kaspars Kambala may play on another People To People team that will tour the Czech Republic, Austria and Slovakia in mid-May while Donovan Stewart may participate on a third team which will compete in Italy from late May until early June. The players have to raise the money to participate and the costs are between $2,300-$2,900. Interested sponsors should call 895-3295.
* BANQUET TICKETS: Individual tickets and tables of 10 remain for next Thursday's Rebel Basketball Awards Banquet at the Las Vegas Hilton ballroom. Tickets are $75 each, $125 per couple and $625 for tables of 10. Hall of Fame coach Al McGuire will be the guest speaker. For more information or to make reservations, call 895-UNLV.
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