UNLV’s Morant transferring to be close to father

Demetris Morant, who played sparingly as a redshirt freshman, is transferring from UNLV to a college in Florida to be close to his ill father.

Morant will seek a waiver from the NCAA in hopes of being granted eligibility for the 2014-15 basketball season. He is most likely transferring to Florida Gulf Coast.

“Demetris has been granted his release and he will be transferring,” coach Dave Rice said. “His dad has been very ill. We will support a hardship waiver 100 percent. He’s a great kid, and he’s done a great job for us academically.”

Morant’s father, Leroy, suffered a stroke and lives in Florida.

A 6-foot-9-inch forward, Morant played in 13 games last season, averaging 3.8 minutes and scoring a total of eight points.

Morant graduated from Bishop Gorman High School in 2012 and helped the Gaels win two state championships. He also was a track star, winning the state high jump and triple jump titles as a senior.

The Rebels are one below the scholarship limit of 13, and Jerome Seagears, a senior-to-be guard who is transferring from Rutgers, arrived in Las Vegas on Monday for an official visit.

Jordan Cornish, an incoming freshman who was granted a release from Tennessee, is visiting UNLV this weekend.

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