Prep point guard commits to UNLV; Washington State center to visit
UNLV has been searching for years for an effective point guard, and now the Rebels hope they have found one.
Jaylan Ballou, a 6-foot guard from St. Paul High School in Santa Fe Springs, California, committed to UNLV.
“A pure point guard,” St. Paul coach Damaine Powell said. “He has great speed, so people have a hard time pressing him. He’s really good at ball-handling, and he’s a great passer. His best attribute is he has the mind of a coach.”
Ballou, who averaged about 17 points and nine assists last season, was named Most Valuable Player of the Santa Fe League. He also was first-team All-California Interscholastic Federation Division 4A.
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Ballou received interest from Drexel, Big West Conference schools and New Mexico State when current UNLV coach Marvin Menzies ran that program.
“He came and visited me at the school, and me and my family liked him a whole lot,” Ballou said.
In other UNLV news, Washington State 6-10 center Valentine Izundu will visit, said his AAU coach, Chris Gaston. Izundu, a graduate transfer who will be eligible next season, also plans to visit San Diego State and Fresno State.
Regarding Izundu’s interest in UNLV, Gaston said: “It’s an opportunity for playing time right away. Stephen Zimmerman Jr. is leaving, so they need someone to come in and get a fresh start.”
Injuries limited Izundu’s playing time last season, and he averaged 3.8 points, 2.7 rebounds and 2.2 blocks in less than 15 minutes per game.
Menzies also is trying to complete his coaching staff, and said he has interviewed several candidates.
“I’m anticipating announcing the last two full-time coaching positions in the days to come,” Menzies said. “I’ve yet to contractually offer any candidate beyond Andre (LaFleur), and I believe that the candidate pool has narrowed to the point that the two assistants will be great additions to our staff.”
Contact Mark Anderson at manderson@reviewjournal.com or 702-387-2914. Follow @markanderson65 on Twitter.
