UNLV guard Deville Smith is the Rebels' latest roster loss
Deville Smith would have been the Rebels' top returning scorer. (Ethan Miller/Getty)
Observers of UNLV men's basketball last season may be only vaguely familiar with the team coach Dave Rice deploys in 2014-15.
After watching Khem Birch and Roscoe Smith turn pro, Bryce DeJean-Jones and Demetris Morant transfer and Kevin Olekaibe complete his eligibility, Rice is set to lose the player who would have been his top returning scorer this season. Guard DeVille Smith will not use his final year of eligibility with the Rebels, according to a report from mylvsports.com.
In his one season at UNLV, Smith started 18 games and averaged 9.7 points and 2.7 assists. Without Smith, the Rebels will lean on their best remaining returner, guard Jelan Kendrick (6.3 ppg). UNLV will also need quick production out of its recruiting class, which was ranked fourth nationally by Rivals and is highlighted by No. 8 player Rashad Vaughn, center Goodluck Okonoboh and small forward Dwayne Morgan.
San Francisco
Cody Doolin