Kruger refutes rumor of Texas A&M transfer

Steve Guiremand

Friday, March 26, 2004 | 9:44 a.m.

New UNLV head basketball coach Lon Kruger was busy getting ready for a recruiting meeting with his coaching staff on Thursday afternoon. But despite published reports to the contrary, one of the names not being brought up was that of Texas A&M swingman Antoine Wright.

The Houston Chronicle on Thursday reported that Wright, a talented 6-foot-7 sophomore from San Bernardino, Calif., was considering transferring to UNLV if Kruger were to hire current A&M assistant coach Lew Hill. The Aggies hired UTEP's Billy Gillispie on Wednesday to replace Melvin Watkins as head coach and, according to the Chronicle, Hill is being considered for an assistant coaching job at UNLV.

"There's nothing to that," Kruger said of trying to lure Wright from A&M. "We've got two scholarships to give. We need guys who can come in and play this year."

Wright averaged a team-high 13.5 points and 4.1 rebounds for the Aggies last season. He also has hinted at exploring his NBA options.

Kruger said he is working with new assistant Marvin Menzies as well as holdover assistants Deane Martin, David Rice and Vince Booker to evaluate prospective recruits. The Rebels would like to sign two big men to replace graduating post men J.K. Edwards and James Peters.

The spring signing period begins on April 14th. But Kruger said no recruits are scheduled to visit this weekend and the following weekend is a dead period because of the coaches convention at the Final Four in San Antonio.

"We really only have two weekends to work with before the signing period starts," Kruger said. "Right now it doesn't appear anything will happen until after the Final Four in terms of players visiting campus."