Rebels get committments from two prep standouts

Steve Carp

Thursday, Nov. 19, 1998 | 10:38 a.m.

The early signing period for national letters of intent has come and gone and UNLV's cupboard is not bare.

Coach Bill Bayno announced Wednesday the Rebels have acquired Dalron Johnson, a 6-foot-9 forward from Verbum Dei High School in Los Angeles, and Oscar Garcia, a 6-8 forward from Spain playing for Notre Dame Academy in Fitchburg, Mass.

Johnson was deliberating between the Rebels and California. He attended UNLV's season-opener against Sacred Heart last Saturday.

He made up his mind Tuesday and signed his letter Wednesday.

"It came down to life after college," he said of choosing UNLV over Cal. "There's a lot of opportunities here after basketball. That was important to me.

"I also like the coaches and the players. I like the way they push the ball and let the big men run. And Coach Bayno lets his guys play."

Johnson said he was glad to put the recruiting process behind him and be able to focus on his senior season at Verbum Dei, coached by former NBAer David Greenwood.

"It's been a lot of pressure," he said. "I'm just glad it's over with."

Garcia, who was considering Clemson as well as UNLV, committed to the Rebels over the weekend. However, his paperwork has not reached Las Vegas because it had to go to Spain first, where his parents had to sign off on the letter of intent.

Meanwhile, UNLV will continue the pursuit of Jason Kapono, the swingman from Artesia High in Lakewood, Calif.

Kapono, a 6-7 senior, has said he will not sign until the spring. UNLV is battling Utah and Missouri for the talented Kapono, a member of the Orange County Register's Top 15 West Coast Team.

Kapono's decision to wait probably cost UNLV a shot at Steve Hunter, the 6-10 forward from Maywood, Ill. Hunter said if Kapono committed to the Rebels, he also would come to Las Vegas. But the Proviso East High star was under a lot of pressure to stay in Chicago and Hunter signed with DePaul.

Shining star

When this week's copy of Sports Illustrated arrives in your mailbox, turn immediately to the college basketball preview section. There you'll find junior Shawn Marion, being touted by SI as one of the top newcomers in college hoops.

The photo shoot for "Stars of Tomorrow," as the piece is entitled, took place in September. It has Marion skying through a star-studded background peparing to jam a basketball.

SI describes Marion as "cut from the traditional Runnin' Rebels mold -- a Juco transfer, a dynamic leaper and a tireless transition-game player." It goes on to say, "However, Marion, a 6-7 small forward, would rather rebound than score, has no nickname, doesn't talk trash and moved to Vegas with his mom, Elaine, who plans to attend every home game."

Scouting USC

Is Southern Cal that good? Or is San Diego State that bad?

In the wake of the Trojans' season- opening 101-54 rout of the Aztecs Tuesday, it's tough to say. But with seven players scoring in double figures and SDSU being held to just 29 percent shooting, it's safe to say USC will be UNLV's toughest opponent to date.

"They're good," Bayno said of the Trojans. "They're very good. Henry Bibby knows how to coach and they run a lot of sets that are tough to defend."

Seven lettermen are back from last year's team which went 9-19. But the newcomers Bibby recruited apparently can play.

JC center Brian Scalabrine shook off the opening-night jitters and had a game-high 14 points and nine rebounds. The 6-9 sophomore also blocked two shots.

Freshman Brandon Granville is starting at the point and had 10 points and five assists in his collegiate debut.

This will be the fifth time the teams have met. The series is even at 2-2 after UNLV won 82-72 at the Los Angeles Sports Arena last year. UNLV is 18-11 lifetime against the Pac-10 Conference.