Nickname: Nene

Strengths: Across the board, there isn’t a more-versatile Rebel. Only 6 points? Check the rest of the boxscore. He’ll have 10 boards, a few steals, a couple of blocks, some assists. Aims to play much more above-the-rim this season. Look out for some jams from the wing and tip dunks from Nene.

Weaknesses: His 3-point marksmanship needs some honing, especially since he’s back to playing his natural small forward spot. But he only attempted seven last season. That will take some time. He hopes to hit the boards stronger this season, too, in the mold of Lee Cummard of BYU. But he only had two rebounds in the opener.

UNLV

2008-09 season

Much is expected of Rougeau this season, but nobody expects more from him than himself. He hit the weights diligently in the offseason and plans to play more above the rim, finishing breaks with dunks and getting his share of tip jams. He is the de facto vocal leader and the most versatile Rebel. He was rewarded with the program’s final scholarship just before the team left to tour Australia in June.

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

Blossmed into an all-around leader by helped guide the program to a victory in a second consecutive NCAA tournament for the first time since 1991. He had 12 points, 10 rebounds, 4 blocks and 3 steals in a first-round win over Kent State. Tallied only one basket in a 19-point defeat to eventual national-champion Kansas in the second round.

As a sophomore (1.5 ppg, 1.0 rpg)

Played the same amount of total minutes as a freshman, but gained invaluable experience watching the team advance to the Sweet 16. In three NCAA tournament games, he played five minutes.

As a freshman (2.2 ppg, 2.2 rpg)

Redshirted in 2004-05, then he appeared in 13 games as a rookie walk-on. Showed a sliver of his future by scoring 12 points and yanking down eight rebounds in a 69-63 defeat at Oregon State.

At Rancho Cucamonga (Calif.) Etiwanda High

He averaged 6 points and 5 rebounds during a 32-3 senior campaign.

Quoting

“We’ve been battling hard and working hard on defense, getting the new guys used to how our defense is frantic.”
- Rene Rougeau