Ben Carter cleared to play in UNLV’s opener vs. Cal Poly

When a hard elbow to the side of his neck knocked Ben Carter off his feet, he did not expect the result would be a significant head injury.

"I always thought it was a straight shot to the head that would give you a concussion," he said. "My head was hurting, but I didn't think it was that serious at first."

After "maybe four or five days" of headaches, Carter said he understood the reality of concussions. The one he suffered Oct. 31 in a scrimmage at Southern California was the first of his career.

The 6-foot-9-inch junior forward is past the serious stage, fully recovered and cleared to play in UNLV's season opener against Cal Poly at 7 p.m. Friday at the Thomas & Mack Center.

Concussions are not just an issue with football players, but they are rare in basketball. Carter was back on the practice floor Monday and feeling no ill effects while recalling details of the play.

"I blacked out for a second before I hit the ground," he said. "I had to get up and shoot free throws. I made one. I started getting headaches and all of the concussion-like symptoms. It's kind of a lingering thing.

"But I'm good to go now. I feel great."

That's a relief to coach Dave Rice, who said the Rebels missed Carter's impact on the floor Friday in a sloppy exhibition victory over Whittier College. UNLV committed 18 turnovers and allowed the Poets, who essentially played five guards, to grab 17 offensive rebounds.

Carter, who redshirted last season after transferring from Oregon, is one of the Rebels' strongest rebounders and post defenders. He's also a settling influence on the offensive end.

"First and foremost, Ben is a difference-maker for our team," said Rice, whose younger brother, Grant, coached Carter at Bishop Gorman High School. "For all the guys I've ever coached, I don't think I have been around a guy who has a higher basketball IQ than Ben."

Rice said he plans to announce a starting lineup Thursday. In the exhibition, he started three guards - seniors Ike Nwamu and Jerome Seagears and sophomore Patrick McCaw - with sophomore center Goodluck Okonoboh and freshman forward Stephen Zimmerman Jr.

Freshman forward Derrick Jones Jr., UNLV's leading scorer in the exhibition and scrimmage, is likely to be in a reserve role to open the season. Jones had 20 points in 21 minutes against Whittier.

"Derrick has been everywhere, and he's making big plays," Rice said.

Carter and Jones figure to be the first two players inserted off the bench, though Carter can be expected to start at times as Rice searches for the right lineup combination.

"The great thing about Ben is he's going to accept whatever his role is," Rice said. "He is extremely important to what we're doing because of his maturity, leadership and basketball IQ."

Contact reporter Matt Youmans at myoumans@reviewjournal.com or 702-387-2907. Follow him on Twitter: @mattyoumans247