Rebels unable to sign any new recruits

Steve Addy

Wednesday, April 10, 2002 | 9:52 a.m.

UNLV's basketball team didn't add any recruits today when the spring signing period began, because the Rebels have no available scholarships at the moment.

Unless a current player transfers, all of next season's 11 scholarships are spoken for. Coach Charlie Spoonhour has continued to recruit, just in case, but said he isn't aware of any impending transfers. Guards Lafonte Johnson and Ernest Turner have said they might leave.

"Unless a player comes in and says they're unhappy, I assume they're staying," said Spoonhour, who doesn't have a history of running off players.

If a scholarship becomes available, the Rebels will likely add a guard. They have kept an eye on 6-foot-6 swingman Devin Smith from Coffeyville (Kan.) Community College and 6-4 shooting guard Roy Smiley from Southeastern CC in Burlington, Iowa.

UNLV is also listed among possible destinations for transfer guard Brian Morrison from North Carolina. The 6-2 sophomore averaged 7.1 points and led the Tar Heels with 42 3-pointers this season.

In November, UNLV signed forwards James Peters (6-8, 210) from Butler County (Kan.) CC and J.K. Edwards (6-8, 250) from Indian Hills CC in Ottumwa, Iowa.