Rebels’ QB has special interest in regionals

Steve Guiremand

Thursday, March 22, 2001 | 10:13 a.m.

Look for UNLV quarterback Jason Thomas to be one of the first players to dash off the field after the Rebels' first spring practice this afternoon.

The reason? Thomas wants to at least catch the second half of the NCAA Tournament East Regional semifinal matchup between USC and Kentucky which tips off around 4:30 p.m. -- or about halfway through today's workout.

Thomas has a strong rooting interest in both teams.

If not for his much-publicized fallout with ex-Trojan football coach Paul Hackett, the 6-5, 230-pound former prep All-American basketball star at Compton's Dominguez High School could very well be suiting up for Henry Bibby's Trojans in Philadelphia.

Thomas intended to play both football and basketball for USC when he signed his letter of intent with the Trojans in 1998.

"He was strong -- a heck of a rebounder," said Trojans assistant coach Silvey Dominguez, who watched Thomas play several times at Dominguez High (no relation).

But Thomas transferred to UNLV after just one year at USC when he felt Hackett reneged on his promise to allow him to battle Carson Palmer for the starting quarterback job in spring practice.

"I know a lot of those guys," Thomas said. "I played with (Trojan point guard) Brandon Granville for a lot of years for Pat Barrett's (Performance Training Institute) AAU team. I know Jeff Trapagnier from his days at Compton. Sam Clancy and I had a couple of classes together. I know a lot of other guys on that team, too."

So Thomas will be pulling for the Trojans, right?

"Nah, I'll side with Kentucky," he said.

Thomas also has a good friend on the Wildcats in forward Tayshaun Prince. Together, the duo helped lead Dominguez to four straight CIF Southern Section basketball titles as well as California State Division II titles their sophomore and junior years.

"I want to see Tayshaun win a national championship," Thomas said. "Tayshaun and I are very close. We were friends long before we ever became teammates. It's a friendship I think will last forever. It would be great to see him get that ring."

If Kentucky should make it to the Final Four in Minneapolis next weekend, would Thomas try to go?

"I wish I could but I've got to worry about spring football now," Thomas said.

And what about Thomas putting back on his sneakers and trying to help UNLV get to a Final Four next season?

"The longer it goes (without playing) the less likely that becomes," he said.