Sharp on and off court

Wednesday, Nov. 2, 2005 | 7:26 a.m.

At least twice a week during the second and third sessions of summer school, UNLV junior guard Michael Umeh spent nine hours a day in the library, prepping for Biology 223.

When Anatomy & Physiology I and II didn't demand his attention, the kinesiology major perfected his shot, ran drills with teammates or played pickup games with fellow Rebels.

He said earning B's in those two courses and Hurricane Rita dodging away from his hometown of Houston were the highlights of his summer.

Houston Cougars junior guard Lanny Smith, best friends with Umeh since the sixth grade and former teammates on a 34-3 Hightower High School squad as seniors, said Umeh has always been equally dedicated to academics and athletics.

"Rarely can you find someone who will devote himself to both at the same time," Smith said. "We talk all the time, and he's either on his way to the gym or on his way to the library. He's been that way since I've known him."

For about a year, Umeh has yearned to be a leader at UNLV, to be a catalyst in getting the program back to the NCAA tournament.

As a two-time Mountain West Conference all-academic selection with a 3.2 grade-point average, he wants those leadership skills to extend off the court, too.

For all of the aforementioned reasons, Umeh will be the most important Rebel in 2005-06.

THE UMEH FILE

Full name: Michael Daniel Chukwuma Umeh

Size: 6 feet, 2 inches; 185 pounds

Born: Sept. 18, 1984

Hometown: Houston

Nickname: Hulk Hogan for his musculature. "Because he's looked like that since the seventh grade," best friend Lanny Smith said.

Family: Father, Emmanuel; mother, Edith; brothers, Stanley and Ronnie; sister, Elsie.

Resume: Earned first-team all-region honors by averaging 15.1 points, 4.4 assists and 3.7 steals as a senior at Hightower High ... scored in double digits 17 times as a sophomore at UNLV, including in nine of the team's last 11 games.

1. ROOTS

Umeh's parents, Emmanuel and Edith, moved to Texas from Nigeria in 1979, when they shortened the Umeojilnakka family name. Two aunts and three uncles have since moved to the United States. His mother's father, Bennet Eche, died in December. Umeh's mother and father will attend a ceremony for Eche next month in Nigeria.

"He always reminded me to remember where I come from and to keep God first," Umeh said of Eche. "He was just a good, honest, caring, loving, hard-working man. I'll keep passing that tradition down."

Umeh visited Nigeria for the first time after graduating from high school. "You got used to it, but it was different," he said. "It humbles you, teaches you to appreciate what you have."

2. THE TURNAROUND

After a rough freshman season that included coach Charlie Spoonhour's resignation, Umeh worked hard on his game and body in his first off-season. Then new coach Lon Kruger immediately showed faith in his abilities during a preseason stretch of games in Canada. That faith enabled Umeh to blossom.

"One of the most important things that you want to have as a player is your coach trusting in your ability," Umeh said. "When your coach trusts you, that gives you more confidence to prepare and perform and get good results."

3. ONE ON ONE

Smith and Umeh will knock heads for the first time in an official game when Houston visits the Thomas & Mack Center on Dec. 20. They weigh the same, and Smith is an inch taller than Umeh.

Will they guard each other? Smith wondered the same thing after Umeh rang him Sunday to wish him a happy 21st birthday.

"It would be tough," Smith said. "I guess I would try to get up on him and force him to drive -- I know his (shooting) range."

DR. UMEH?

The shooting guard won't go that far in talking about his professional future after basketball. But the son of a lab technician and registered nurse wants to leave UNLV with a GPA above 3.5, and the human body has always fascinated him.

"I'll work in physical therapy or athletic training, something in the orthopedics area," he said. "I would like to treat injuries and work with athletes." OFF COURSE

Umeh sighed a breath of relief when Hurricane Rita drifted away from Houston. A day before it made landfall, Kruger called Umeh's parents.

"He was quite concerned and he urged (the family) to leave," Umeh said.

The Umehs evacuated to Fort Worth, Michael said. "There was a lot of wind, but no damage. They went home right away ... Every time I looked up, there was another hurricane (in the Gulf region). But the property is fine and everyone's good."

Rob Miech can be reached at 259-4087 or miech@lasvegassun.com.