A sneak peek at this year’s Rebels

Steve Addy

Friday, Nov. 16, 2001 | 12:44 p.m.

A positional look at the 2001-02 Rebels:

Point guard

The Rebels rarely got enough production at the point last season, but the arrival of Marcus Banks should change that.

With Banks, a Juco All-American at Dixie College, UNLV has a strong, speedy ball handler who can create on the break and in the halfcourt. He'll be exciting, but will have to pick his spots, because the Rebels can't afford aggressive turnovers after working so hard defensively.

Either way, Banks should eventually establish the backcourt leadership that Mark Dickel once provided.

The Rebels have decent depth here. Sophomore Lafonte Johnson looks more settled and opponents ought not ignore his 3-point shooting. Senior Jevon Banks might not look flashy, but can direct the break and shoot with range.

Shooting guard

Because the Rebels aren't big, their shooting guards and small forwards will be largely interchangable.

Senior Jermaine Lewis is probably out until January because of summer knee surgery, so the minutes will be split among seniors Vince Booker and Lou Kelly, freshman Ernest Turner and junior Lamar Bigby.

Booker is the likely starter, mainly because coach Charlie Spoonhour doesn't want someone shooting the Rebels into an early hole. But Turner shows great promise, and the nonconference games will give him valuable seasoning.

Kelly is vastly talented and eager to prove he can thrive in Division I. He will also play small forward, as will Bigby, a fine athlete who hasn't played in a year.

Small forward

When Spoonhour wants a big lineup, senior Chris Richardson (6-foot-6) will start. He will get a chance for major minutes after three seasons of fits and starts under coach Bill Bayno. He is the team's best athlete.

But don't be shocked to see power forward Dalron Johnson (6-9) occasionally at small forward, even when he's the biggest Rebel on the floor. His game facing the basket is much improved.

When Spoonhour goes smaller, Kelly will get the call for offense, Bigby for defense. The latter could help as a rebounder.

Power forward

The offense ran through Kaspars Kambala in Johnson's first two seasons, but he has become the Rebels' first option. He seems to welcome the opportunity, particularly after being left off the preseason all-Mountain West team.

But the Rebels' lack of height will be a problem, so Johnson will likely have to continue as the top rebounder. He must avoid foul trouble, because UNLV can't afford him sitting.

There is not much proven depth. Sophomore Omari Pearson (6-8) has shed his freshman nerves and appears ready to assume the top backup role. Freshman Lou Amundson (6-7) will be brought along slowly, but has exciting potential.

If walk-on Noel Bloom plays aggressive defense, Spoonhour will probably reward him with some minutes.

Center

If Juco transfer Jamal Holden (6-10, 220) can supply eight points and eight rebounds a game, it would be a great help. Otherwise, center could be the Rebels' undoing.

Scoring from Holden isn't as vital as defense and rebounding. The perimeter-oriented Rebels will do everything possible to deny opponents' entry passes to the post, but once the ball goes in, Holden will have to scrap and teammates need to help.

The club could sure use a serviceable backup such as departed Sylvester Dotson or Ike Epps, but Pearson, Amundson and even Bloom will have to combine on that role.