Nickname: Mo (Unofficially: King Mo, El-Rudd)

Strengths: He will yield some height at the power forward spot, but his bulk and strength should aid him in getting leverage. He is sneaky quick down low, slipped layups by taller foes. Teammates raved about his close-range prowess all summer. Was third on the team in scoring in Australia with a 13.3 average. He wants to take bigger foes out beyond the 3-point arc. Has an admirable team-first attitude. Runs the floor and finishes well. Doesn’t care if he gets 25 minutes, 2 or none. It’s all about winning.

Weaknesses: His touch beyond the arc, 28 percent last season, needs some work, but his main objective is playing in the post. He treated the ball like a hot potato last season. When he caught it, his first thought was on how quickly he could pass it off to another teammate. That lack of confidence has been tempered in regular discussions with Dr. Ed Klein, a noted sports psychologist who works with several Rebels.

As a junior (9.0 ppg, 6.2 rpg, 2.1 spg)

Sank a pair of 3-point shots at UC-Santa Barbara, where he collected a career-best 10 points. Played as a reserve in 32 of UNLV’s 35 games. A 28-percent touch from long range limited his exposure.

At Yuba College

Was third among California junior college scorers as a freshman, with 23.4 points a game – that broke a school scoring mark that had stood for more than 20 years. His 119 3-point shots set another school record. Averaged 19 points and 7.5 rebounds as a sophomore.

At Sacramento (Calif.) Natomas High

As a sophomore and junior, helped the Nighthawks go 47-18. Academic issues kept him from playing as a senior.

Personal

Spent a few years in Atlanta, after high school, working on the loading dock of a furniture store before convincing himself that he wasn’t through with basketball.

Quoting

“Whatever the coaches need me to do out there, I’m willing. Whether it’s one, two, 10 or 30 minutes a game, I’m willing. I feel great about this team It’s a big team. Everyone has his own special thing they do.”

- Mo Rutledge