Guard seems set to pick between UNLV, Arizona

A recruiting race for Derrick Jasper is shaping up as a showdown between UNLV and Arizona, two basketball programs accustomed to crossing paths on and off the court.

Jasper, a 6-foot-6-inch point guard, transferred from Kentucky two weeks ago. He spent Saturday afternoon watching the Rebels practice at Cox Pavilion.

Asked if he plans to visit Arizona, Jasper said, "I don't know. I like it here."

He declined to elaborate and turned down interview requests. But Jasper's longtime friend, UNLV sophomore guard Tre'Von Willis, served as his spokesman.

"He sounds like he wants to be a part of what we're doing here," said Willis, who transferred from Memphis last summer. "He told me he was going to take a trip to Arizona.

"I told him, 'I don't think we need to do that. Cancel everything, and before you get on the plane, just tell the coaches you want to come and sign on that dotted line.' "

Willis, from Fresno, Calif., and Jasper, from Paso Robles, Calif., played on the same Fresno-based AAU team in high school.

Jasper spent two years at Kentucky, where he started 27 games as a freshman. Tubby Smith, the coach who recruited him, left for Minnesota last year and was replaced by Billy Gillispie.

After undergoing left knee surgery last summer, Jasper missed the Wildcats' first 10 games of the 2007-08 season. He played in 20 games and averaged 4.2 points and 5.5 rebounds per game.

Rebels coach Lon Kruger is not permitted to comment on Jasper, but Gillispie recently explained what he thought about the point guard's value.

"He is a leader for our team," Gillispie said before granting Jasper his release. "I think he is going to be an All-Southeastern Conference type player next year, if he can maintain his health. We definitely need him.

"I think he is a very, very good player."

UNLV has two scholarships available for next season. Connecticut transfer Curtis Kelly, a 6-9 sophomore forward, recently visited Las Vegas and is considering several schools.

Jasper, who said he was homesick at Kentucky and wanted to attend college closer to his California home, must redshirt next year and will have two years of eligibility remaining.

Arizona coach Lute Olson has an opening for Jasper, and UCLA also has expressed interest in him.

"Right now, I think it's UNLV or UNLV," Willis said. "I really think he's going to be a Rebel. He told me he wants to play with me again. I told the coaches it's my job to get it done."

• NOTES -- The Rebels, allowed 10 practice days before leaving June 23 for a tour of Australia, are off today and Monday. Their fifth practice day is scheduled for 3:30 p.m. Tuesday at the Thomas & Mack Center. ... Former UNLV players Joel Anthony, Kevin Kruger and Warren Rosegreen practiced with the team Saturday.

Contact Reporter Matt Youmans at myoumans@reviewjournal.com or 702-387-2907.