Las Vegas Sun

March 29, 2024

REBELS BASKETBALL:

UNLV to announce plans today for men’s basketball practice facility

Mendenhall Center will give Kruger’s program a place to call its own

UNLV

Justin M. Bowen

A look down onto Jerry Tarkanian court from the rafters of Thomas & Mack Center, where UNLV plays and usually practices. UNLV announced it will hold a news conference Wednesday to unveil plans for a new UNLV men’s basketball practice facility.

UPDATED STORY: Mendenhall Center could be a program-changer for UNLV hoops

A press conference will be held at 1:30 p.m. today at the Cox Pavilion to unveil plans for a new UNLV men's basketball practice facility — the Mendenhall Center — on the school's campus.

On hand will be UNLV president Neal Smatresk, athletics director Jim Livengood, chairman of the Board of Regents James Dean Leavitt, Rebels coach Lon Kruger and Las Vegas Paving Corp Vice President Terry Mendenhall.

Mendenhall will be speaking on behalf of his father, Bob Mendenhall. The family was the most significant donor toward the project.

The practice facility ultimately will alleviate plenty of issues in terms of giving the men's basketball team one place to call its own.

Currently, the coaches' offices are located in the front of the Thomas & Mack Center, while the team locker room is located near the court inside the Mack, where the team practices. Practice sessions also occasionally shift next door to the Cox Pavilion when other events take over the T&M — especially earlier in the season.

As for weightlifting, the team treks a significant distance to the Lied Athletic Complex — located behind the UNLV football practice fields — for workouts.

The construction of a men's-basketball-specific home can only help UNLV keep up in terms of recruiting, as such facilities have become the norm at several major programs around the country.

For more on this story, stay tuned to lasvegassun.com/rebels.

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