Rebels get a closer look at prospects

Steve Addy

Tuesday, July 18, 2000 | 9:39 a.m.

Jermaine Harper was hoping to stick around Las Vegas a little longer this week. But that's OK, because maybe he will be coming back for an extended stay.

Harper, a highly regarded 6-foot-2 guard from Los Angeles, has listed UNLV among the handful of colleges he is considering -- news the Rebels will surely relish. They have watched him closely at the Big Time Tournament, attending all six of his LA Rockfish games, and he is one of their foremost recruiting targets.

After the talented Rockfish were surprisingly eliminated Monday, losing to Baltimore Select in overtime at Silverado High, Harper said he might make an unofficial visit to UNLV while he is here. He was well aware of the Rebels' interest in him this week.

A few UNLV fans even turned out at Rockfish games in Rebels garb, hoping to sell Harper on the school.

Harper is also considering Virginia, California, Rutgers, Villanova and Oregon. He attends Blue Ridge Prep School in St. George, Va., and one of his teammates is David Popoola, brother of Rebels guard Chris Popoola.

"He keeps me up to date on what's going on (with UNLV)," Harper said. "I like the tradition UNLV has. They've had a lot of players make it to the NBA. Playing in Las Vegas would be close to home for me, too."

Harper starts at shooting guard for the Rockfish, a top-notch summer squad that has produced NBA players such as Andre Miller, Austin Croshere, Derek Strong and Scott Williams. It also sent Dalron Johnson to UNLV last year.

In Monday's loss, Harper didn't distinguish himself. He got a technical foul for shoving a Baltimore player and was pulled from the game briefly for playing with his jersey hanging out. He didn't shoot well, but showed good speed and assertive ballhandling.

"My strong point is my quickness, and I think I'm pretty solid on defense," Harper said. "I had some good games early (in the tournament), but I didn't play as well today."

Harper wasn't the only Rockfish the Rebels watched. They're also interested in point guard Anthony Davis, who has UNLV atop his list, and power forward Nick Curtis.

UNLV coaches have gotten a look at many other prospects, including Doug Thomas from the LA Paladins, a 6-foot-8 forward. He has been outshone by junior teammate DeAngelo Collins, but Thomas is a superb athlete with a build comparable to his pal Dalron Johnson.

In a camp game last summer in Compton, Calif., Thomas jumped so high to block a layup that he hit his face on the backboard. Scouts are still raving about the play.

"When their point guard went up for the shot, I hit the board with both hands, and then I hit my nose," Thomas recalled. "I had to pull my head back really quick. The whole crowd was like, 'Ooooh!' That was all I heard."

Thomas said USC and Wyoming have also recruited him, but UNLV is a clear leader.

"I have always liked running teams, and UNLV plays the way I like," he said. "Right now, UNLV is the only team I'm thinking about. I'd like to sign early (in November) to get it out of the way, to take the pressure off my back."

The Rebels have five available scholarships for 2001, including one that will probably go to Las Vegas product Marcus Banks, a shooting guard who is returning for his sophomore year at Dixie College in St. George, Utah.

Because Kaspars Kambala and Sylvester Dotson are going into their senior years, the Rebels hope to sign two frontcourt replacements in this class. They have been eyeing 7-footer Chris Charles from Crispus Attucks Prep in York, Pa., and 6-11 Michael Fey of Olympia, Wash.

Both big men said they might make unofficial visits this week. Their teams lost Monday.

Charles is from the prep school that sent Omari Pearson and Lafonte Johnson to UNLV in its 2000 class, and Pearson is his best friend. Charles is a lanky shot-blocker who was trying to overcome a sore foot this week, with so-so results.

"I like UNLV's coaches. I've known them since they recruited Omari," Charles said. "I'm sure Omari would like me to come to UNLV, but he hasn't put pressure on me. He wants me to make the best decision for myself."