Hamga not sitting idle

No longer in limbo, Beas Hamga is calming down and getting settled in at UNLV. He's taking classes as a full-time student, moving into a dormitory on campus and wearing jersey No. 22 at basketball practice.

It's all helping him forget an unsettling two months.

Hamga was caught by surprise in August when the NCAA questioned his academic records and ruled him ineligible. He worried about his future and waited for an answer.

The situation finally was cleared up Friday, when the 7-foot freshman from Cameroon was granted qualifier status by the NCAA, which met Hamga halfway. He is on scholarship with the restriction that he must redshirt this year.

"It's not what I was expecting, but this is still a great opportunity for me to work hard with the team," Hamga said after Monday's practice at the Thomas & Mack Center.

"It wasn't that easy for me, so I was really upset. But now I'm very glad I'm here."

Rebels coach Lon Kruger is certainly happy to have Hamga, who can't play in games this season but is still a big addition to the program.

"We're going to treat it as a positive and move forward," Kruger said.

As he waited on the NCAA to rule on his status, Hamga attended Findlay Prep in Henderson, where he took a Spanish class and practiced with the team. He also was taking two classes as a part-time student at UNLV.

Hamga wants to play for the Rebels this season, but said he is satisfied that he can attend school and be part of the team.

"I felt good when they told me I'm cleared. When I heard I can't compete, I didn't like it," he said.

"I had to make a phone call to Coach Kruger, and he had to explain to me how it is going to benefit me. Coach Kruger is a truthful man, so I trust him. I think he's right and I think it's good for me. It's making me ready for next season."

The NCAA Clearinghouse had concerns about Hamga's ninth-grade schoolwork in Cameroon and whether it was equal to ninth-grade classes in the United States. The NCAA's ruling allows him the chance to prove he can meet college academic requirements.

"I think my schoolwork should be approved because I know those are high school grades," Hamga said.

While at Findlay Prep, Hamga said he received calls and e-mails from several people -- people he declined to name -- who tried to encourage him to leave UNLV and attend other schools.

Hamga, who turned 19 in July and was ranked as a top-50 prep prospect, attended high school at Decatur Christian (Ill.) last year. He turned down Kentucky, Indiana and other major programs to sign with UNLV in May.

"Some people around the country sent me some messages. I just laughed when I read them," he said. "I can't be a mean person and not talk to them, but I just have to be careful. I don't even know where they got my number."

But all that is in the past, and that's where Hamga wants to leave it. He said he is focused on school and improving as a player.

Junior guard Wink Adams, the Rebels' only returning starter, said Hamga's potential is exciting.

"I wish we could have him this year, but at least we'll have him next year and he'll be even better," Adams said. "Beas can block shots, rebound, run the floor and finish. He's an all-around player.

"We would be better with him, but next year he'll probably be unstoppable. Beas will be a great player."

Adams said he is impressed by Hamga's eagerness to work hard, and Kruger said that's the key to every player during a redshirt year.

"If they kind of just wish the year away, then they probably don't make as much progress," Kruger said. "A lot of it depends on Beas' attitude toward getting better every day and working hard, and that part of it is great. He likes to work at it and he likes to play."

There is some question about Hamga being a legitimate 7-footer.

"My real height is 6-11, but with the shoes ... they got me 7 feet, so it's a great opportunity for my promotion," he said, laughing.