Marion puts pros on hold

Steve Carp

Tuesday, March 9, 1999 | 10:37 a.m.

Rebel standout says he has plans to graduate, play in NCAA Tournament

The world of suffering UNLV basketball fans got a lot brighter Monday when Shawn Marion said that heaven, as in the NBA's megabucks, can wait.

The 6-foot-7 junior said he is planning to return to school for his senior season and fulfill a couple of personal goals -- playing in the NCAA Tournament and earning his diploma.

"Both are very important to me," he said. "Not going to the NCAAs this year hurts. So I want to get back there. And I'm enjoying school. I'd like to get my degree."

Marion had not planned to make an announcement until after the season. But he said his thinking all along was to stay in college.

"I'm not thinking about the money," he said of the obvious lifestyle change he and his family would undergo had he opted to turn pro this year. "The money's not going anywhere."

He's right. With the NBA's revamped salary structure and the rookie salary cap in place, there's only so much he would have made had he come out. And while some clubs projected Marion as a lottery pick, there was nothing at this point to indicate he was going to go in the top 13.

A solid senior season to follow up his junior campaign, where he has averaged just under 19 points and 9.3 rebounds, would solidify Marion as a high lottery pick and virtually guarantee financial security for himself and his family.

Look for Marion to purchase an insurance policy sometime after the season against a career-threatening injury.

Coach Bill Bayno said he was caught off-guard by Marion's news.

"I was shocked," Bayno said. "I asked Shawn and he said, 'I thought you knew all along.' I guess he was tired of people asking him.

"Obviously, this is great news. I think it's the right decision. But Shawn's a level-headed kid. He knows he's got things to work on. And he's committed to his schoolwork. It's important to his family that he graduates."

Actually, Marion said he hasn't been asked all that much about what he was going to do. And usually, those queries came from casual conversations with the media.

"Honestly, I don't really think about it except when you guys bring it up," he said. "All I'm trying to do is focus on school and basketball. We need to finish the season on an up note."

The Rebels left today for Nebraska, where they'll meet the Cornhuskers Wednesday in the opening round of the NIT at the Devaney Center in Lincoln.

Marion said he wants to keep playing and a win Wednesday might give local fans another chance to see the team next Monday or Tuesday. And yes, the Thomas & Mack Center will be available to the Rebels should they need it.

"We can get some momentum back," he said. "It's a big game for us."

Marion's return is not only big for the returning Rebels, it's a signal to potential recruits the best player in the program has faith in the future.

Trevor Diggs, a 6-3 guard from Kilgore (Texas) Junior College, is coming. Dalron Johnson, a 6-8 forward from Verbum Dei High in Los Angeles, signed last November. Jason Kapono, the 6-8 swingman from Artesia (Calif.) High, is still considering UNLV.

The Rebels are involved with several other highly touted juco players, including Lou Kelly, a 6-5 swingman from San Bernardino (Calif.) Junior College; Lamont Roland, a 6-5 guard from Barton (Kan.) Community College; and Antonio Jackson, a 6-5 swingman from Butler (Kan.) Community College.

Associate head coach Glynn Cyprien, who was instrumental in bringing Marion to UNLV, was pleased by the news.

"Shawn and I have talked about it from time to time, and the most important thing for him is to be the first person in his family to graduate," Cyprien said. "He thinks this summer can be really good for his development.

"Obviously, I'm glad for Shawn and I support his decision. He needs to work on his skills and his body and I think he's enjoying himself in college. If he gets better at what he's doing, the money will be there."