Tarkanian’s ‘2’ to be worn by UNLV coach’s son

Friday, Oct. 27, 2006 | 7:39 a.m.

For some, the biggest story coming out of Mountain West Conference basketball media day Thursday was that an improved UNLV team was picked to finish sixth in the nine-team league.

But observant longtime Rebels fans were surprised to learn the number of times UNLV coaching legend Jerry Tarkanian apparently has been "unretired."

Kevin Kruger, son of UNLV coach Lon Kruger who has transferred from Arizona State, is listed as No. 2 on the Rebels' roster. That's the same number Tarkanian wore at Fresno State, which was hoisted to the rafters during a ceremony at the Thomas & Mack Center in 1997.

Tarkanian's jersey number was taken down last year and replaced with banners commemorating UNLV's past basketball success. The court at the Thomas & Mack also was renamed "Jerry Tarkanian Court" during a ceremony.

"It was never technically retired," UNLV sports information director Andy Grossman said. "We've never included (No. 2) as a retired jersey."

But local media did. In a Sun story announcing the retirement of Glen Gondrezick's No. 25 and Reggie Theus' No. 23, it was reported they were to join Sidney Green (No. 21), Stacey Augmon (No. 32), Larry Johnson (No. 4) and Jerry Tarkanian (No. 2) as Rebels "who have had their numbers retired."

Greg Anthony's No. 50 will be retired Nov. 7.

Reached for comment Thursday, Tarkanian seemed more upset that the Rebels were picked for sixth place than the fact his jersey had been taken out of mothballs.

"Good. I'm honored," he said when told that Kevin Kruger would wear No. 2. "He's a good one."

Tarkanian said he had almost forgotten he had worn No. 2 until his former players reminded him of it. Ex-UNLV greats Johnson, Augmon and Anthony each wore No. 2 in the NBA to honor their college coach.