UNLV hopes for one more signee

Steve Addy

Wednesday, Nov. 15, 2000 | 9:54 a.m.

Who: UNLV vs. Northern Arizona

When: Friday, 7:30 p.m.

Where: Thomas & Mack Center

TV: None

Radio: KBAD 920-AM

Today is the last day of the NCAA early signing period, and the Rebels hope to get another player's autograph on the dotted line.

Shooting guard Ernest Turner of New Jersey, regarded as a top-50 national prospect, has to sign today or wait until mid-April. He is said to be deciding between UNLV, Villanova and possibly Rutgers.

"We are hoping to get one more guy, a top-50 guy," Bayno said Tuesday. "That would be great news."

Attempts to contact Turner in Sterling, N.J., were unsuccessful. He had planned to attend Tuesday's Villanova-Fairfield Preseason NIT game, but reports said he was a no-show. Turner said last week he plans to sign early, but time is running out.

Bayno isn't allowed to comment on specific recruits or confirm that national letters of intent have been received until the signing period ends.

But two players are known to have signed with the Rebels: 6-foot-2 JC guard Marcus Banks (from Cimarron-Memorial HS) and 6-10 center Simplice Njoya from Cameroon and The Masters School in Dobbs Ferry, N.Y.

If Turner doesn't sign, the Rebels' early class will be limited to Banks and Njoya. In the spring, UNLV is expected to sign another big man or two.

Among the possible prospects are center Uche Okafor of the College of Southern Idaho and power forward Mike Mackell of Porterville (Calif.) JC. UNLV is known to have followed both on the summer circuit.

Okafor (6-foot-11, 245) is a raw prospect from Lagos, Nigeria, who is being chased by many high-profile programs. North Carolina and Kansas have moved into the picture recently, and the other suitors include UConn, Missouri, Illinois and North Carolina State.

Mackell (6-9, 230) is also being recruited by Miami, Pitt, Oregon, Cal and Southern Cal.

* STEP-UP TIME: Lou Kelly's broken foot will keep him on the sidelines until 2001, but the Rebels aren't crying. Bayno said it's an opportunity for other players to assert themselves.

"It is up to the coaches to find a way to win without Lou and Chris (Richardson)," Bayno said. "But the players have to step up and make up for those guys."

Richardson is under indefinite NCAA suspension, while Kelly broke his right foot for the second time in a year. Kelly was rounding into form after sitting out the last 2 1/2 months of last season.

"Lou was starting to find his comfort level offensively," Bayno said. "His conditioning and defense were a long way away, but he was getting into the flow of the offense. It's a tough break. But Lou still has the rest of this year and next year."

Bayno said Danny Brotherson will start at small forward. Jermaine Lewis will back up that spot and shooting guard behind Trevor Diggs.

"That's 80 minutes for those three to split. I think we can maximize our talent at those positions," Bayno said.

Freshman Lafonte Johnson and junior walk-on Jevon Banks are battling for the starting job, and Diggs will also see time there.

"We might alternate starters," Bayno said. "I think we are going to do it by committee. All of those guys give us different things. Lafonte is very solid in the open court and he can shoot the 3. Jevon gives us energy and defense. And (Diggs) has really impressed me, especially in transition."