Goodluck Okonoboh’s next move is mystery to UNLV coach Dave Rice

A highly touted prospect in high school, and a starter as a UNLV freshman, Goodluck Okonoboh probably never envisioned he would be playing a shrinking role as a sophomore.

The 6-foot-10 center averaged 15.2 minutes and 3.5 points in the Rebels' first six games, a decline from the 26.7 minutes and 5.7 points he averaged in his first college season. But when he walked into coach Dave Rice's office Friday and revealed his plan to transfer, he did not mention a lack of playing time as the reason.

The meeting happened a day after the team returned from the Maui Invitational. Rice said Okonoboh did not complain about a reduced role or indicate a desire to return close to home in Boston.

"He thought it was time to make a change," Rice said. "He said he had been doing a lot of talking with his family and felt like it was in his best interest at the time to move on."

It's a vague explanation. It's also probably fair to surmise Okonoboh had visions of becoming a star when he committed to UNLV, and that scenario was not developing.

"He will move on to another program," Rice said, "and that's the extent of what I know at this time."

Rumors are circulating that Okonoboh will look at Arizona State because of relationship connections with Sun Devils coach Bobby Hurley. If he is some sort of homesick and wants to go back to the East Coast, programs such as Boston College and St. John's could enter the picture. Before committing to UNLV, Okonoboh had narrowed his list of potential schools to also include Indiana and Ohio State.

As a senior at Wilbraham & Monson Academy in Springfield, Mass., Okonoboh was ranked as a five-star recruit - No. 26 in the 2014 class - by ESPN. He will be heavily recruited again, but where he will go next is a mystery.

"I don't know the answer to that question," Rice said. "He is obviously very close to his family, and his family is in Boston."

It's rare for a player of Okonoboh's stature to request a reserve role, but Rice said after starting the season opener, Okonoboh did ask to come off the bench before the second game because he might feel more comfortable and be more productive.

"That is absolutely what took place," Rice said. "There were no disciplinary issues."

Okonoboh's value to UNLV was as a strong interior defender, rebounder and shot blocker. His offensive game was limited and stagnant. Rice still has plenty of options on a deep front line, and each player who stands to gain minutes in Okonoboh's absence is more skilled offensively.

Junior forward Ben Carter already had seen his playing time increase, and sophomore Dwayne Morgan and freshman Derrick Jones Jr. will see more action at both forward spots. Rice said junior Tyrell Green, a perimeter shooting threat who barely got off the bench in the first six games, will move into the rotation.

The Rebels (6-1) face No. 15 Oregon in the MGM Grand Showcase at 8 p.m. Friday in a game to be televised by ESPN2. Rice said Carter and 7-foot freshman Stephen Zimmerman Jr., both nursing ankle injuries, are expected to play. Zimmerman did not practice Monday.

The surprise addition to the injury report is senior point guard Jerome Seagears, who experienced flu-like symptoms after returning from Hawaii and did not play Saturday in UNLV's victory over Prairie View A&M. Seagears visited a doctor Sunday and was diagnosed with a concussion.

Rice said he had "no answer" for how Seagears suffered the injury, but he said Seagears is going through concussion protocol and is probable to play Friday.

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