Stacey Augmon: Men’s Basketball (1987-91)

By Garrett Downing

Monday, March 9, 2009 | midnight

Stacey Augmon Through The Years

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From 1989-91, UNLV had two of the best basketball teams in NCAA history. The Runnin’ Rebels won a National Championship in ‘90 and returned to the Final Four the next season.

During this time, a quiet forward from Pasadena, California etched his name into the UNLV history. Stacey Augmon, an explosive player with incredible talent, helped guide UNLV to a 126-20 record during his four seasons with the Rebels.

Augmon, who earned the nickname “Plastic Man” because of his long arms and ability reach out and block almost anything, has his name spread throughout the Rebels record books.

Offensively, Augmon could get to the rim and finish with the best in the country. He is one of four UNLV players to score over 2,000 points in his career (2,011), and ranks third in Rebels career points.

Even with an offensive prowess, Augmon’s specialty was his defense. Nearly every night he would match up and shut down the opponent’s top offensive threat, everyone from point guards to centers.

He became one of the best defenders in UNLV history and shares the record for most career steals (275) with Greg Anthony and ranks in the Rebels top-10 for career blocks (128). He started and played in more games than anybody in UNLV history and became the first three-time winner of the National Association of Basketball Coaches’ Defensive Player of the Year Award. He also ranks third in career rebounds (1,005).

Augmon was truly one of the greats at UNLV, and helped cement the Rebels legacy as a top college program. He was a first team All-American selection in 1991 and won a bronze medal with the U.S. Olympic team in 1988.

He went on to get drafted in the first round by the Atlanta Hawks in 1991, and played 15 seasons in the NBA with six different teams.