Las Vegas Sun

March 29, 2024

Rebels Basketball:

UNLV’s Pat McCaw decides to turn pro

UNLV Defeats New Mexico Solidly

L.E. Baskow

UNLV guard Patrick McCaw (22) works to control a loose ball as New Mexico guard Elijah Brown (4) does the same at the Thomas & Mack Center on Tuesday, January 12, 2016.

Pat McCaw is taking his headband to the next level as the sophomore guard becomes the second Rebel from last year’s team to declare for the NBA Draft. McCaw announced his decision in a statement this morning.

“I feel that I have accomplished what I wanted in collegiate athletics and it is time to take the next step in my basketball career,” McCaw said. “I would like to thank my coaches, Dave Rice, Todd Simon, Stacey Augmon, Ryan Miller, Max Good, Kreigh Warkentien, Jason Kabo, Rich Hilliard, Dave Tomchek, Curtis Terry and all staff and managers associated with the UNLV men’s basketball program for their support and guidance during these past two years. It is their assistance in helping to refine my skills that has given me the added confidence to embark on this journey.”

McCaw came into UNLV as the least heralded recruit in a class that included Rashad Vaughn and Dwayne Morgan, and the St. Louis native quickly proved to be the Rebels’ best overall player. McCaw began the year as a defensive specialist off the bench and kept finding ways to earn more playing time, eventually taking over as UNLV’s leading scorer when Vaughn went down for the season.

McCaw was again UNLV’s best overall player as a sophomore, leading the team with 14.7 points in 33.7 minutes per game. Over two seasons, McCaw averaged 12.2 points, 4.2 rebounds, 2 steals and 1.7 assists to turnovers per game.

McCaw joins freshman Stephen Zimmerman Jr. as former Rebels who plan to sign with agents ahead of June’s NBA Draft. Zimmerman is projected as a mid- to late-first-round pick, while McCaw, who’s listed at 6 feet 7 inches and 185 pounds, doesn’t appear on most mock drafts.

“I would like to thank my teammates, my brothers, for their friendship and dedication to the game — which inspired me to take the court with my best foot forward every game,” said McCaw, who announced his decision on his father’s birthday. “I would like to thank UNLV, the institution who believed I was worth the investment and gave me the platform to showcase my skill, talent, and teamwork. Last, but not least, to the UNLV Rebel fans who have made my time in Vegas an experience I’ll always remember. I appreciate the love & support. No matter where this journey may take me, I will always be a Rebel.”

At least four Rebels are expected to leave this year’s roster early, and more could depart. Freshman Derrick Jones Jr., who would have to overturn the NCAA’s decision on his ACT score, could join McCaw and Zimmerman in the draft, and sophomores Jordan Cornish and Morgan have asked for their releases to transfer. Others may follow suit, and while all of that starts to sort itself out, UNLV still doesn’t officially have a coach as the Board of Regents is slowly working through the process of approving a contract for Chris Beard.

Perhaps by the end of the week, he’ll be official, and whenever that happens, Beard is going to have to hit the ground running on the recruiting trail.

Taylor Bern can be reached at 948-7844 or [email protected]. Follow Taylor on Twitter at twitter.com/taylorbern.

Join the Discussion:

Check this out for a full explanation of our conversion to the LiveFyre commenting system and instructions on how to sign up for an account.

Full comments policy