Las Vegas Sun

March 28, 2024

ray brewer:

Bryce Dejean-Jones: Booed out of Las Vegas one day, loved the next

UNLV vs. Colorado State - Feb. 26, 2014

Sam Morris / Las Vegas Sun

UNLV coach Dave Rice talks to Bryce Dejean-Jones in a game against Colorado State, Feb. 26, 2014, at the Thomas & Mack Center. UNLV won 78-70.

Click to enlarge photo

Brooklyn Nets’ Rondae Hollis-Jefferson, left, dives for the ball with New Orleans Pelicans’ Bryce Dejean-Jones during the first half of an NBA summer league basketball game Monday, July 13, 2015, in Las Vegas.

Don’t let the door hit you on the way out. Well, maybe not.

When Bryce Dejean-Jones transferred from the UNLV basketball program in the spring of 2014, supporters rejoiced because the player they considered a troublemaker, and assigned some blame to for UNLV’s underachieving season, would become Iowa State’s problem.

BDJ attempted too many shots, quit on the season, and was difficult to get along with, some teammates said. There were reports he got into a physical altercation with a teammate after a loss in the league tournament, validating those who celebrated his departure. The program would be better off without the shooting guard bringing them down.

But, apparently, he is still one of us — Once a Rebel, Always a Rebel, right?

BDJ returned to UNLV this week for the NBA Summer League as a member of the New Orleans Pelicans. In his first game back at the Thomas & Mack Center Monday, he had arguably his most memorable moment in the arena in a 26-point effort in his quest to make an NBA roster.

And, get this: Rebel Nation, the same people who one year ago called him a cancer, surprisingly cheered his performance. When he transferred out, you were quick to say he was a problem. But score 26 points in a Summer League game, a celebrated scrimmage, and he’s one of us again. What gives?

You can’t have it both ways. You can’t point fingers and assign blame, and one year later, still consider him part of the family.

“Felt great to be back in the Thomas and Mack playing again thanks too all who came out n supported the homecoming!,” BDJ posted on Twitter.

BDJ had worn out his welcome at UNLV, and coaches weren’t able to control everything from his emotions to how many shots he attempted a game. He and other players left, allowing coach Dave Rice to hit the reset button and bring in a talented freshman class. Some feel those freshmen — Patrick McCaw, Jordan Cornish, Dwayne Morgan and Goodluck Okonoboh — could do something memorable before their careers conclude.

While cleaning the slate was what the program needed, they lacked experienced players and could've have used someone with BDJ’s mentality in the rotation. He’s competitive, plays with an edge and wasn’t afraid to have the ball in his hands with the game on the line.

He averaged 10.5 points per game at Iowa State, which won the Big 12 Conference tournament title. But trouble also followed.

He was warned multiple times to keep the noise down at his apartment during a party, but didn’t oblige and was arrested. There were also reports of marijuana at the party. Charges were ultimately dropped, but it gave Rebel fans another opportunity to rejoice he wasn’t in Las Vegas anymore.

That’s why it was odd to see some of the same players cheering for him this week. I put that observation on Twitter and got a variety of interesting responses. Below are some highlights:

Ray Brewer can be reached at 702-990-2662 or [email protected]. Follow Ray on Twitter at twitter.com/raybrewer21

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