Rebels’ Scoggin at home pondering transfer

Steve Addy

Thursday, Dec. 21, 2000 | 10:56 a.m.

Rebels freshman guard Steve Scoggin has left the team and is leaning toward transferring, he told the Sun on Wednesday.

"I'm going to talk with my parents this week and decide what I'm going to do," Scoggin said from his home in Irvine, Calif.

Though Scoggin hadn't played this season because he was redshirting (at his request), he had participated in practices and attended every game. But he went home Sunday after final exams and won't be with the team for Friday's game against Pepperdine.

"I'm going to call the coaches (today) and see if I can have another week to decide," Scoggin said.

Coach Max Good said he would give Scoggin that time and that he is "leaving the door ajar" for Scoggin to remain with the Rebels, but declined further comment.

Scoggin, a 6-foot shooting guard who prepped at national power Mater Dei High School in Santa Ana, Calif., said his wanderlust has nothing to do with last week's turmoil at UNLV -- four years NCAA probation and the firing of coach Bill Bayno.

"I was thinking about (transferring) before all that," Scoggin said. "And it's not about all of the (guards) they're bringing in next year. It's more about the school, the atmosphere. I guess I'm looking for something closer to home. I'm looking at a school for academics."

Scoggin has displayed solid fundamentals in practice -- good shooting, keen court sense -- but would likely have trouble getting playing time next season. The Rebels have signed two highly regarded backcourt recruits -- JC combo guard Marcus Banks and prep shooting guard Ernest Turner.

"I heard Sunday that (Scoggin) might be transferring," said Mater Dei coach Gary McKnight, in Las Vegas this week for the Holiday Prep Classic tournament. "It caught me totally by surprise."

If Scoggin transfers to a Division I school, he must sit out until 2002. He would be immediately eligible for Division II or JC ball. He said he has yet to look into other schools, but was recruited by UC-Irvine, Cal State Fullerton, Long Beach State, Utah, Pepperdine and Gonzaga out of high school.

If Scoggin leaves, it will free up a much-needed scholarship for the Rebels, who will be minus two scholarships next season and in 2002 as part of the NCAA sanctions.

Court documents claim Kaplan sent two strippers to Las Vegas in June 1998 to engage in sex with Bayno at the Mirage.

Kaplan was in the news in 1997 for sending strippers to the New York Knicks' training camp in South Carolina, and in 1998 for providing free strippers and booze to Patrick Ewing and other Knicks, Dennis Rodman and several pro wrestlers at his Gold Club in Atlanta.

"I had no idea Steve Kaplan was involved in any wrongdoing," Bayno told SI. "I'm not saying I haven't had sex with girls at The Mirage, but if it was arranged by Steve Kaplan, it was unbeknownst to me."

Phone messages left for Bayno and UNLV athletic director Charlie Cavagnaro on Wednesday weren't returned.

In Atlanta, Kaplan and 15 others face charges of racketeering, credit card fraud, money laundering, loan sharking, bribery and prostitution. Another defendant, a former Gold Club stripper, pleaded guilty and told prosecutors she will testify that she was paid by Kaplan to have sex with professional athletes and high-profile customers. Trial is tentatively set for February.

Fans will receive free admission Friday with the donation of a new unwrapped toy. Toys can be exchanged for tickets at the UNLV sports marketing office at the Thomas & Mack Center during business hours or at the gate. ...

The Rebels have finally passed their opponents in total rebounds 354-353.