UNLV inks coveted big man

Steve Addy

Thursday, April 26, 2001 | 10:17 a.m.

With the stroke of a pen, Jamal Holden became the Rebels' starting center.

That wasn't officially stipulated in the letter of intent he signed with UNLV on Wednesday, but as the Rebels' only frontcourt recruit, it appears he will inherit the position vacated by Kaspars Kambala.

The 6-foot-9 Holden, a power forward for Westark (Ark.) College, is the first recruit signed by new Rebels coach Charlie Spoonhour. Holden signed with Texas Tech in November, but was released this month after Bobby Knight succeeded James Dickey as coach.

UNLV had hoped for another commitment from a Juco big man Wednesday, but 6-8 power forward Will Frisby of Fresno City College opted to sign with Miami (Fla.), so Holden's addition was especially crucial.

"We needed some help on the inside, and Jamal will give us a presence there," Spoonhour said. "He's eager to be here, and eager to work hard."

Holden, a Tulsa native, averaged 11.5 points and six rebounds while helping Westark (30-4) finish fifth in the national junior college tournament last month. In 1999-00, he averaged 15 points and seven rebounds as Westark went 23-6.

Though Holden's stats aren't as gaudy as many top Juco players, he played on a balanced team with a deep frontcourt rotation.

"We had a lot of big guys and a very unselfish team," Holden said from Fort Smith, Ark. "I could've had better stats, but our team didn't really care who scored, as long as we won. I'm all about playing defense and getting rebounds, but I can shoot pretty well, too."

With Kambala and backup center Sylvester Dotson completing their UNLV eligibility, Holden will be the obvious choice to replace them under the basket. He's thin (220 pounds), but his athletic style has been compared to ex-Rebels center Keon Clark.

"Center isn't really my natural position," Holden said, "but I'll play wherever they want. I'm an easy player to coach."

Holden chose UNLV over Arkansas, UConn, Washington State and SMU. He had intended to honor his commitment to Texas Tech, but once Dickey was fired and Knight became the Red Raiders' coach, Holden secured his release. The NCAA approved it, and Holden will be immediately eligible at UNLV.

"I met coach Spoonhour (two weeks ago) and I could tell he is a very down-to-earth coach," Holden said. "My coach at Westark (Doc Sadler) has known him for a long time, and he said coach Spoonhour will work with me and make me a better player.

"Growing up, I always used to watch UNLV. I think I'm going to like it there."

So far, the Rebels' only other signees have been guards Marcus Banks from Dixie College in Utah and Ernest Turner from Sterling High School in Somerdale, N.J.

UNLV also signed a prep school center in November, Simplice Njoya, but he was released by mutual agreement this month, leaving Spoonhour in desperate need of a big man. He saw Holden at the Juco finals and liked him immediately.

"The style of play he's used to, especially on the defensive end, fits well with our style, so it won't be a big change for him," Spoonhour said. "He is not just a stand-on-the-block kind of player. He has mobility and agility."

Having lost out on Frisby, the Rebels hope to sign one more player, 6-7 forward Louis Amundson from Monarch High in Louisville, Colo. He is expected to pick either UNLV or Pepperdine this week.

If Amundson signs, the Rebels' recruiting will be complete, leaving them four scholarships to award next season. The NCAA allows eight new scholarships in a two-year span, but no more than five in one year.