Rebels free up scholarship as Johnson opts to transfer

Steve Addy

Thursday, April 11, 2002 | 9:11 a.m.

The Rebels will have an extra scholarship to award next season after all, because sophomore guard Lafonte Johnson has decided to transfer.

In a meeting with coach Charlie Spoonhour on Wednesday, Johnson asked for a release from the program and Spoonhour granted it. Johnson, a 5-foot-10 point guard, had expressed unhappiness with his minor role and living so far from his native Baltimore.

"We didn't encourage Lafonte to go, but he wants to be somewhere where he can get more minutes," Spoonhour said. "We want him to be happy, because he is a fine young man who never caused problems."

Attempts to contact Johnson were unsuccessful. Last month he said he'd stay at UNLV if he could redshirt next season, but was pondering a transfer closer to home.

With Johnson's exit, UNLV can add an extra recruit in the spring signing period, which began Wednesday. Spoonhour has been eyeing Juco guards in case a scholarship became available, but he's in no hurry to award it.

"We'll see who's out there, but we won't give it away just to give it away," he said.

Johnson started his first 11 games at UNLV in 2000-01, but his role gradually waned. He averaged 8.3 minutes and 1.5 points in 29 games this season, scoring 12 at UAB. As a freshman, he averaged 4.4 points, with a career-high 17 against BYU, and his 64 assists ranked second on the team.

The Rebels have lost two players to transfer this season. In December, junior center Jamal Holden left the program and has enrolled at Arkansas-Little Rock.