UNLV’s Marvin Menzies signs first newcomer in junior college swingman

New UNLV basketball coach Marvin Menzies picked up his first new player when 6-foot-6-inch junior college guard Kris Clyburn signed a letter of intent Tuesday.

“Blessed to say I will be furthering my education and basketball career for the next 3 years at UNLV,” Clyburn tweeted. “I want to thank everyone who has been part of this process. I’m Proud to be a part of the Rebel Family!”

The Rebels might be losing one of their two remaining signees from November. CBS Sports reported Jaylen Fisher will visit Texas Christian this weekend and planned to decommit from UNLV, but Fisher tweeted that no decision had been made. A source close to the situation, who wasn’t authorized to speak on the record, confirmed the details.

“As of today, I have not made any changes with my future college choice,” Fisher wrote.

As of today I have not made any changes with my future college choice

— Jaylen Fisher (@areal_hooper) April 27, 2016

An attempt to reach Fisher directly was unsuccessful. If he chooses TCU, it wouldn’t be surprising given his close relationship with new Horned Frogs assistant coach Ryan Miller, who recruited Fisher to UNLV.

Clyburn was the North Texas Junior College Athletic Association Defensive Player of the Year in his one season at Ranger (Texas) College. He averaged 14.3 points and 5.2 rebounds, making 59.9 percent of his shots, including 50.8 percent on 3-pointers.

Clyburn visited Texas-El Paso on April 15, and he reportedly also was offered scholarships by Boise State, Southern Methodist and Houston.

Attempts to reach Clyburn were unsuccessful.

“We are extremely pleased to welcome Kris to the Rebel family,” Menzies said in a statement. “He is an excellent player, and we are excited that someone with such a high level of talent was available this late in the process.

“Kris is a very efficient player, who has the ability to slash and score in multiple ways. He also has a very high basketball IQ.”

Findlay Prep’s Carlos Johnson, who signed scholarship papers in November with Fisher and Justin Jackson, will visit Boise State on April 29, Oregon State on May 6 and Washington on May 13, but he hasn’t ruled out the Rebels.

“They’re still under consideration,” Johnson said. “I’m taking my visits to weigh my options.”

One possible option for UNLV is 6-10 forward Cheickna Dembele, who will visit the school today. He is a senior at Scotland Performance Institute in Chambersburg, Pennsylvania, and reportedly has several scholarship offers, including from Michigan State and Syracuse.

Menzies also needs to fill out his coaching staff.

He hoped to bring over Paul Weir, who coached under Menzies at New Mexico State. But the Aggies promoted Weir to head coach Tuesday.

When asked specifically about San Diego assistant coach Russell Springmann as a possible addition to the UNLV staff, Menzies said, “I’m still interviewing different guys.”

If Menzies hires Springmann, he will get a coach who spent one season at San Diego and the previous 17 at Texas, including 14 as a full-time assistant under former Longhorns coach Rick Barnes.

Brandon Mason is a possibility to become one of the three assistants. He was the special assistant to the head coach at New Mexico State and could remain in that role at UNLV, but Menzies has said that will depend on how the staff is put together.

Contact Mark Anderson at manderson@reviewjournal.com or 702-387-2914. Follow on Twitter: @markanderson65