Changing of the (point) guard at UNLV

Steve Addy

Friday, Nov. 17, 2000 | 9:52 a.m.

A positional look at the 2000-01 Rebels:

Point guard

This is the area of greatest concern. Not due to insufficient talent, but because it's the only position guaranteed to have a new starter.

When Mark Dickel ran the show last season, he averaged an NCAA-high 9.0 assists and the Rebels scored 82.2 points per game, seventh in the nation. But he wasn't a natural shooter and his defense was hurt by middling speed.

Projected starter Lafonte Johnson, a freshman from Baltimore, is a good long-range shooter who shows capable ballhandling. But it will take time to develop his leadership and decision-making, and coach Bill Bayno is advising fans to be patient.

Johnson will have a lot of help, however. Junior walk-on Jevon Banks from Las Vegas showed in the preseason he can be trusted with extended minutes. He plays tough defense and takes good care of the ball.

Trevor Diggs will also play some point guard, but Bayno would prefer someone to take the job by the throat.

Shooting guard

After playing well on both ends in last season's Mountain West tournament, Diggs retained his starting job with a sturdy preseason. He appears improved in all areas, especially shooting, which was his downfall last season (35 percent). He seems confident and relaxed.

JC pickup Jermaine Lewis, Diggs' former teammate at Kilgore College, will be first in line behind him. Bayno raves about Lewis' perimeter shooting, but it will take a while for the 6-4 newcomer to fit in. Lewis has defensive potential as well.

Vince Booker could also see some minutes, but that might require an 11-man rotation, which seems unwieldy.

Small forward

Danny Brotherson was going to start even before Lou Kelly broke his foot again.

Brotherson brings intensity from the opening tip, a valuable trait considering the Rebels' poor comeback record last season. They play best with a lead, and having Brotherson on the floor at the start will help. At 6-4, he is one of the club's best offensive rebounders.

Lewis will be the leading backup, with senior Donovan Stewart in the mix, though he will switch between both forward spots.

Kelly is targeted for a Jan. 1 return, but there is no guarantee he'll be ready for major minutes. There is no question about his skill and court sense, only his durability.

Power forward

This is where the depth gets thin. Dalron Johnson is the certain starter and he'll probably lead the team in minutes, as long as he avoids the foul trouble that dogged him last season. Beyond Johnson, the Rebels are small and inexperienced.

Johnson was superb in the MWC tournament and was the league's co-freshman of the year. The Rebels plan to use him at the high post more often, so he'll have to perfect his 15-footer and passing skills, while continuing to rebound aggressively.

Much-improved Sylvester Dotson is the all-purpose backup big man. Bayno will also use Stewart (6-4, 210) and freshman Omari Pearson (6-8, 220) at power forward, but opponents might gain an exploitable size advantage. Chris Richardson (6-6, 185) is expected back from his NCAA suspension, but he won't add much bulk either.

Center

News flash: If Kaspars Kambala gets hurt, the Rebels are in trouble.

Not only is the 6-9 senior UNLV's top scorer (18.5) and rebounder (9.3), but with Dickel's departure, he is the team's new emotional touchstone. When those around him are losing their composure, Kambala must yank them back in line. That's what All-America candidates do.

Kambala's offensive moves are more fluid than ever, and he shows signs of becoming a defensive stopper and shot-blocker. But he has to avoid cheap fouls, because the Rebels can't thrive while he's sitting. And Dotson is the only credible backup center.