5 Derrick Jasper

Nickname: D-Jas Strengths: A 6-foot-6 hybrid of a point guard, Jasper has the ability to play four different positions on the floor. While he can run the show from his point spot, he's also has limitless shooting range out beyond the 3-point arc and can post up smaller guards with his back to the basket. Also an explosive leaper, showed a knack for emphatic blocks and powerful dunks in his time at Kentucky. Weaknesses: How much of Jasper's potential he's able to reach in his two years of eligibility at UNLV depend on how well his rehab goes during this his redshirt season. Jasper had microfracture surgery on his left knee following his freshman season at UK, and never allowed it to fully heal before coming back to play 20 games as a sophomore for the Wildcats. More than likely, he will not practice with the team this season, but will instead focus on strengthening his leg. At Kentucky Played in 34 games and started the final 27 as a freshman, and was second on the team with a 2.9 assist per game average ... Missed the first 10 games of his sophomore season following microfracture knee surgery. Ended up averaging 4.2 points and 5.5 rebounds per game, and scored a career-high 14 against Florida on March 9, 2008. Shot 45.7 percent from 3-point range. Quoting "He's a big point guard, he can see the floor very well, he handles the ball, makes smart decisions and he's a guy who you want the ball in his hands to make plays. I can't wait until he comes back and I can play alongside him. His favorite player is Jason Kidd, and he kind of plays Kidd's game. He's an excellent rebounder from the point guard position and he can really distribute the ball and get open shots for his teammates. That's the kind of point guard you want to have." -- UNLV sophomore guard Tre'Von Willis "He can do it all, like Magic (Johnson). He's a big point guard. Other guards, he can just post up, body them and go to the paint. A 6-5, 6-6 point guard, you don't find too many of those." -- UNLV junior forward Matt Shaw