Herod has perfection on his mind as season approaches

Steve Carp

Tuesday, Nov. 10, 1998 | 10:21 a.m.

No matter what Desmond Herod does tonight in UNLV's exhibition game with the California All-Stars, it won't be enough.

Not for coach Bill Bayno, but for Herod himself.

The 6-foot-3 freshman shooting guard from Brooklyn, N.Y., quickly became a fan favorite at the Thomas & Mack Center after dropping 12 points on Global Sports in the Rebels' 101-81 win Thursday. But despite an excellent showing, Herod deemed it unacceptable.

"I demand perfection of myself," he said. "People thought I did well in the first game. But I wasn't satisfied. I missed a free throw and a wide-open 3-pointer that I should have hit."

Herod said it's OK for him to be hard on himself, even though he is constantly in pursuit of an unattainable goal, that being a perfect basketball game.

"Yeah, it's a lot of pressure," he said. "But that's the way I am. I'm always having to prove myself."

The native of Guyana didn't start playing basketball until he was 11. And while he quickly took to the game, there were always those who doubted whether a foreigner living in Brooklyn, N.Y., could hang on the playgrounds.

Herod always met the challenge and he came to UNLV with lofty credentials, not the least of which was a 30-point average during his senior year at Adelphi Academy. He was the second-leading scorer in the history of New York City prep basketball.

"I know why I'm here (at UNLV)," he said. "To shoot the ball. That's why I don't want to miss. Because I know if I miss a couple, people are going to wonder, 'Why did they bring this kid here?'

"I take basketball very seriously. That's why you never see me smile on the court. I try not to show any emotion. You never know if I'm happy or sad."

Herod said he's very happy at the moment. He came away from his first collegiate experience with a warm glow and he loved the support from the fans.

"I like that feeling of playing in the games in front of the people," he said. "I can't wait to have that feeling again. It's addictive. It's like a drug."

Bayno said he's not going to rush Herod, that his role of backing up senior Brian Keefe is a perfect way for the freshman to break in.

"Des' goal is to work hard every day and get better," Bayno said. "As long as he does that, I'll be very happy."

Herod agreed that he's in a good spot.

"I understand what Coach Bayno wants -- be unselfish, play hard and keep learning," he said. "That's fine with me. I'm taking this whole year as a learning experience.

"I was talking to Kevin (Simmons) and he was telling me that I won't feel the comfort I had in high school until the middle of my sophomore year. He said it takes a while to adjust to playing at this level."

Keefe, who has been in Herod's situation, said understanding roles is a two-way street.

"It's hard because you have to get a rhythm and there's not a lot of time to do it," he said. "He has to understand his role and we have to understand his role and make sure and get him the ball. He can really shoot it."

Herod said he does have a certain degree of comfort now that he has played a collegiate game, albeit an exhibition.

"I know what to expect," he said. "Before the game, I was so nervous. I even called my old coach (Tom Sclafani) in New Jersey to talk to him and he told me to just relax and play my game like I used to and everything would take care of itself.

"He was right. Once I hit that first shot, I was fine. I just went out and played."

Rebels vs. Cal All-Stars

WHEN: 7:30 p.m. tonight

WHERE: Thomas & Mack Center