Las Vegas Sun

March 28, 2024

REBELS BASKETBALL:

UNLV unveils new hoops uniforms

Players approve of mixture of both old and new from Nike

New UNLV Basketball Uniforms

UNLV senior Steve Jones models the gray alternate uniform the men's basketball team will bust out occasionally this season. Launch slideshow »
Click to enlarge photo

Former Syracuse guard Jonny Flynn celebrates during action last season. The Orange were one of the first teams to wear Nike's newest style of hoops uniforms, which features tighter tops and baggier shorts. UNLV will begin wearing the new uniforms this season.

Click to enlarge photo

Rene Rougeau lays it in for two last season against Santa Clara. The Rebels will change looks this season, wearing new Nike get-ups which weight 25 percent less than the previous uniforms and have a more retro design to them.

According to the UNLV basketball players, Nike gets a 'mission accomplished' upon completion of the team's new uniforms.

Nike mixed both its newest look — tight, form-fitting tops with long, baggy shorts — with a splash of a simple, retro design, and the finished product was on display Wednesday afternoon at the Thomas & Mack Center, when junior guard Derrick Jasper, senior forward Darris Santee and senior guard Steve Jones modeled off the new duds.

The trio showed off the home whites, the road reds and an alternate gray jersey which will be busted out occasionally.

The pattern involves a very simple design running down the side, which is reminiscent of the UNLV uniforms from the 1980s and early 90s.

"When we first got them, I think a couple of guys did a couple of pushups," Jones joked of the tighter tops. "But I think they like them for the most part.

"I think it's the perfect combination of the new Nike uniforms that are out now, that teams like Arizona and Syracuse have, but it's not futuristic, like the University of Oregon, or anything. It's real solid, simple and classy, kinda emphasizing what coach (Lon Kruger) is."

Nike debuted the new jersey concept during the 2008 NCAA tournament, when Arizona, Florida, Syracuse and Ohio State unveiled the look, and last season, several other schools outfitted by Nike followed suit.

According to Nike, roughly nine inches were taken out of the pattern from UNLV's previous uniforms, and as a result of making the tops more form-fitting, the uniforms are 25 percent lighter in weight than the old uniforms.

Nike's description gets pretty scientific, pointing out that the front is constructed in a fabric called 'sphere,' which is extremely light and keeps uniforms from clinging to a player's body. The back is also lightweight and made of mini-mesh, which is designed to keep players cool along their spine, where they traditionally heat up the most.

But players generally don't care about the science of it, and are more into the look.

Jasper admits that he intentionally requested a jersey top a size or two bigger than what would fit tighter to his body, as he prefers a looser feel.

Not all Rebels shared his sentiment.

"Probably Tre'Von (Willis)," he responded, when asked who filled it out the best. "He got his real tight. He likes to show his muscles off."

Fans can see the 2009-10 squad for the first time at FirstLook 2009 at 9 p.m. Friday at the Mack, with doors opening at 8:15 p.m. The event is free to the public.

UNLV's exhibition opener is on Nov. 10 against Washburn, and the 1990 National Championship team will be honored during a 20th anniversary celebration, while the regular season opener is Nov. 14 against Pittsburg State at 7 p.m.

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