Las Vegas Sun

March 28, 2024

Former Rebels predict exciting basketball season ahead

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Former UNLV basketball players Kevin Kruger and Curtis Terry at lunch Wednesday, when they discussed their summer workout regimens and hoops hopes.

Over sub sandwiches Wednesday, former UNLV basketball players Curtis Terry and Kevin Kruger predicted that Rebels fans should be excited about the 2009-10 season.

Both have participated in pick-up basketball games this summer with some current players, and Terry and Kruger beamed about the talent on the court.

Namely, Derrick Jasper.

The 6-foot-6 point guard transferred from Kentucky, sat out last season while mending his left knee after micro-fracture surgery and has two seasons of eligibility remaining.

Two seasons ago, when he was a senior, Terry arranged summertime workouts and pick-up games. He was pleased to find that Jasper has taken over that leadership role.

“He’s doing what I was doing – calling everyone and texting everyone, making sure everybody comes,” Terry said. “Those guys are playing hard and working hard. I’m excited. They have a lot of talent.

“Derrick’s absolutely looking good, no question.”

Kruger agreed.

“I’ve been most impressed with his defense,” Kruger said. “He gets down and slides his feet, and nobody will get around him. He’s strong, a big kid. He has that knack for leading. I think that’s going to help him a lot.”

And the knee?

“If he’s favoring it, you can’t tell at all,” Terry said. “He comes at you full speed and tries to take off, and he’ll jump through you or over you.”

Kruger had sterling reviews about a leaner and meaner Brice Massamba and new guard Anthony Marshall.

“He’s a rising freshman,” Kruger said of Marshall. “He’s talented and pretty savvy. He’s more of a basketball player. He doesn’t do one thing that will wow you, but watching him you realize he’s pretty good.

“I think, overall, Las Vegas will love this team. It’s going to be a blue-collar, hard-working team, what local fans have grown used to over the last few years.”

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