Greedy to leave UNLV squad

Steve Carp

Friday, April 9, 1999 | 10:46 a.m.

Well, another rumor has been confirmed and then put to rest at the Thomas & Mack Center.

The long-running gossip that Greedy Daniels was not going to finish his collegiate career at UNLV panned out when coach Bill Bayno confirmed that Daniels will be transferring to Mississippi State at the end of the spring semester.

The 6-foot guard from New Orleans had been rumored for more than a year to be leaving the Rebels. Thursday it became official as Daniels joined freshman shooting guard Desmond Herod among the ranks of the departed.

As for who else may be leaving, freshman Matt Siebrandt's future is up in the air. The 6-7 forward from Galena High in Reno said he would make a decision at the end of the semester, and Bayno said he plans to sit down with Siebrandt in the next couple of weeks and discuss the matter.

Daniels came to UNLV highly touted out of Cohen High School, where he was a Parade Magazine all-American. The belief was he would come in and run the team from the point guard spot.

But his adjustment to the college game, particularly Bayno's coaching and the Rebels' style of play, was an ongoing struggle. He never did beat out Mark Dickel at the point and wound up shuttling between the point and shooting guard spots, sometimes starting, but mostly coming off the bench.

At times, he was brilliant, especially defensively. But he was erratic offensively and it was a source of frustration, both to Bayno and Daniels.

In his two years at UNLV, Daniels averaged just over seven points a game. He was second to Shawn Marion this year in steals with 70 but led the team with 87 turnovers. His career-best performance came this year when he scored 23 points in the Rebels' 84-69 win over Nevada-Reno Dec. 2.

"For whatever reason, it didn't work," Bayno said. "We didn't connect on the court. He always played a certain way and I tried to harness his ability.

"This is a tough one. Greedy and I developed a great relationship the last two years and I have as good a relationship with him as I've had with any player I've ever coached. But I think it's everyone's best interests -- Greedy's, his family's and the program's, that he move on."

Daniels did not return several phone calls seeking comment. But associate head coach Glynn Cyprien, who has known Daniels since he was a child growing up in the same parish in New Orleans, said something had to give.

"I think it came to a point where he wasn't happy with the situation here," Cyprien said. "It's like a separation between parents. There's no hard feelings at all. We all came to a mutual agreement that this is what's best for all concerned.

"Obviously, I'm not happy that we're losing Greedy. But I want what's best for him."

Going to Mississippi State, Daniels will be closer to home without the pressures of playing directly in front of family and friends. Coach Rick Stansbury plays an up-tempo style and Daniels will be competing in a high-profile league in the Southeastern Conference.

Daniels will have to sit out next season as per NCAA rules. He will have two years of eligibility remaining.

While Daniels has to finish classes at UNLV this semester before heading south, Herod returned to Las Vegas to do likewise before he heads back east to enroll at Seton Hall.

The 6-3 Herod, who hails from Brooklyn, N.Y., said basketball didn't entirely drive his decision to transfer.

"I want to be back home with my family," he said. "The people of Vegas had been good to me. But there wasn't anything that would have kept me in Vegas.

"Basically, it came down to UNLV basketball or my family, and I chose my family. I have nothing against Coach Bayno or any of the coaches. He was good to me. He gave me a chance to experience what Division I basketball is all about."

Part of UNLV's future was secured Thursday as Kilgore (Texas) College guard Trevor Diggs' national letter of intent arrived in the overnight mail. However, Bayno is withholding comment on Diggs' role with the program until after the spring signing period concludes May 15.

Swingman Lou Kelly of San Bernardino Valley (Calif.) College and combo guard Danny Walker of Compton (Calif.) College are scheduled to take their official visits today. Both are said to be leaning toward the Rebels.

Bayno also confirmed that UNLV is in the hunt for Waylon White, a 6-6 forward from Milwaukee who attends Iowa Western Community College. His interest in UNLV has supposedly picked up after New Mexico and Missouri recently hired new coaches and White's interest in the two schools waned.

The Rebels are also still involved with Artesia (Calif.) High's Jason Kapono as well as Jeremy McNeil of Sam Houston High in San Antonio.

McNeil may be visiting UNLV next week and a visit is also in the works for 7-foot Raitis Grafs of Riga, Latvia, whom Bayno recently visited in Europe. Grafs could visit in the next 2-3 weeks.