Booker undaunted by loss of scholarship

Steve Addy

Monday, Oct. 23, 2000 | 10:32 a.m.

It seems a bit cruel to call UNLV's Vince Booker a "walk-on."

Then there's the term "non-scholarship player," which sounds even more unflattering.

Though Booker is no longer on a basketball scholarship for the Rebels, those labels don't accurately portray his value to the team, nor the esteem in which he is held by teammates and coaches.

Booker, a 6-foot-1 junior point guard from Cheyenne High, isn't likely to see much playing time this season. He is third on the depth chart behind freshman Lafonte Johnson and fellow walk-on Jevon Banks, and Lou Kelly will probably also play some point.

That won't leave much action for Booker, who made 20 appearances last season, mostly in mop-up time.

But instead of pouting over his predicament, Booker has continued to be one of the Rebels' best practice players and most positive influences.

Coach Bill Bayno has even given him the task of harrassing Johnson during scrimmages, hoping to give the freshman a feel for the defensive pressure he'll face all season long. Booker has not flinched about the assignment.

"I'm just thankful to God for the opportunity to be here," Booker said. "My role is to help the team in any way I can. If that means sacrificing a scholarship or getting limited playing time, I'll do it. If it means working hard in practice to help the other guys get better, I'll do it."

With many players, those might be empty words, but Booker has proven his dedication to the Rebels from the first day he walked into the gym in 1998, asking Bayno if he could be a walk-on.

"He came to me when I didn't have room for a walk-on," Bayno said. "I didn't let him practice, but he showed up every day and watched -- he wouldn't go away. He was so persistent. And it paid off for him. It's a great lesson in life."

In August 1999, Booker got the official word -- he would be receiving a scholarship.

"It was the last day that my (tuition) needed to be paid. It was a Friday," Booker says, reliving the moment. "(Bayno) told me in the weight room. I filled out the paperwork that day. When I got home, I got down on my knees and thanked God. It was like a miracle."

However, even miracles come with expiration dates. When Bayno needed one extra scholarship for this season's recruiting class, Booker's was rescinded (scholarships are renewed on a yearly basis).

It was not because of anything Booker did, but where he lives. As a resident of Nevada, he can attend UNLV as a walk-on for a fraction of what it would cost an out-of-state recruit.

"It could get you down if you let it," Booker conceded. "A lot of guys outside the team were saying, 'No scholarship? That's messed up.' But I tried not to feed into that. I have faith in God, and if this is what needs to happen, I'll be taken care of."

That outlook hasn't gone unnoticed by Bayno and others.

"Book's attitude and work ethic have been the same since Day 1," Bayno said. "To get on this team in the first place, he was someone whose commitment never wavered."

Teammate Danny Brotherson said, "Booker is the epitome of what it is to be a team player. He comes in and works hard every day. It might bother him a little bit that he got his scholarship taken away, but he hasn't let that get to him. He's the type of player who doesn't care if he gets any glory or any thunder."

Given the right circumstances, there might be chances for Booker to help on the court this season. Though he hasn't shown it in games, he is a terrific long-range shooter. Fans probably won't believe it until they see it first-hand, but those around the team know.

Sunday after practice, Booker swished jump shots from well behind the NBA 3-point line laid down for tonight's Lakers-Sacramento exhibition at the Thomas & Mack Center.

"In high school, I had good fundamentals, but I feel like I really developed my shot over this summer," Booker said. "I developed the confidence I have always needed.

"I am in a frame of mind to stay ready to play. It's going to be a long season, and you never know what can happen."

Bayno insists he won't overlook Booker.

"He will get a chance," Bayno said. "He has gotten better. He's really a shooting guard that we're playing at the point, which is tough. Book is a natural scorer, but we need him at the point because we've got a lot of (two-guards)."

To boost the efficiency of practice, Bayno says he will pick two lineups and sub into them, rather than continuing to give equal repetitions to three lineups. ...

Aside from Lafonte Johnson's toe blisters, the Rebels' injury slate in clean.