UNLV inks junior college recruit

Steve Carp

Wednesday, May 5, 1999 | 10:32 a.m.

It was win one, lose one Tuesday for Bill Bayno. Fresno City College guard Mike Garrett will join the Rebel basketball program and freshman Matt Siebrandt is packing his bags and heading for junior college.

Garrett initially attended Fresno City in 1996 and accompanied coach Steve Cleveland to Brigham Young in 1997. But the 6-foot-2, 195-pound point guard never played for the Cougars after being expelled for violating the school's code of conduct.

However, Garrett, who went to Santa Barbara High School, has had no trouble at Fresno and is looking forward to a fresh start with the Rebels.

"It's like picking up where I left off," Garrett said. "I'm definitely glad to be coming to UNLV. I feel like I'm ready to play."

Garrett, who averaged 16.1 points, 3.9 rebounds and 3.7 assists for Fresno City, becomes the fifth member of Bayno's 1999 recruiting class.

The Rebels still are waiting to hear from Kenny Dye, the 6-2 shooting guard from Connors State (Okla.) College who visited Las Vegas with Garrett last weekend. If Dye commits, that will wrap up recruiting with a glut of Juco players. The lone freshman on board right now is Darlon Johnson, the 6-8 forward from Verbum Dei High School in Los Angeles.

Garrett still has to graduate juco in order to be eligible in the fall. Garrett said Tuesday he's about six to eight units shy.

"I've got some work to do this summer, but I'll get it done," he said.

Garrett, who was an all-Central Valley Conference performer this year, said he's prepared to back up Mark Dickel or step in and start if needed.

"Whatever they want," he said. "My role as I see it is to get everyone involved, make sure the right guys have the ball at the right time and play intense defense.

"I see myself more as a traditional point guard."

As for his BYU fallout, Garrett said the explanation is simple. He was in the wrong place at the wrong time -- even though the place he happened to be in at the time was his own apartment.

He was entertaining friends and there was marijuana in the room. And even though he didn't partake, the fact it was in his apartment was a violation of the school's code of conduct, which forbids the use of drugs.

His career was over before it ever started. Ironically, BYU was one of the schools recruiting Garrett this year, along with Hawaii. But UNLV was where he wanted to resume his career.

"They have the great tradition and I really liked Coach Bayno and the guys," Garrett said. "The players accepted me with open arms. I see myself fitting in with no problem.

"That experience (at BYU) made me more humble. I don't take things for granted like I used to."

As he has with the other signees -- Lou Kelly, Trevor Diggs and Sylvester Dotson -- Bayno said he was withholding comment on Garrett until he has wrapped up recruiting next week. But sources at UNLV said Bayno checked into the BYU incident thoroughly before recruiting Garrett, and that it wasn't an issue.

As for Siebrandt, the 6-7 freshman from Galena High in Reno asked for and received his release last week and said he is headed to the College of Southern Idaho.

"Things just didn't work out here (at UNLV)," Siebrandt said Tuesday from his apartment. "I think I'm better off trying a new school."

The plan was to redshirt Siebrandt. He played in two games, made 3 of 6 shots, grabbed seven rebounds and scored eight points. He also was suspended for a violation of team rules, even though he wasn't suiting up.

"It was a good place to go for a year," Siebrandt said. "But I think a change is what's best for me and I'll try and get on eventually at another Division I school."

Siebrandt is the fifth Rebel to leave the program before his eligibility was up. He joins Shawn Marion, Greedy Daniels, Desmond Herod and walk-on Eugene Brennan as those who are moving on. A sixth, reserve sophomore guard Keith Long, has indicated that he, too, probably will not be back.

Long walked on two years ago and was placed on scholarship this year.

"I respect his decision," Bayno said of Siebrandt's desire to leave. "If Matt would've stuck it out here, he could've helped us out. But I understand he wants to go somewhere where he can play a lot."