New UNLV Hoops Recruiting Update - 3/25/2020

New UNLV Hoops Recruiting Update – 3/25/2020

www.FranchiseSportsMedia.com

UNLV is currently looking to get under the scholarship max for this upcoming season.

The Rebels have to make room for an incoming 2020 class that is loaded with potential stars like Nick Blake, Donavan Yap, and Jhaylon Martinez. The group is also stockpiled with players who can fill a niche and play a role right away like Edo Del Cadia, Reece Brown, and Nick Fleming. Then you have Isaac Lindsey and Devin Tillis, who are both held in very high regard by the staff, also on board. Both players are tailor-made to fit TJ Otzelberger’s fast-paced, analytics-driven offense.

The future is bright for this Runnin’ Rebel program. Things can always stand to get a little brighter though, so that means looking ahead to possible signees from the classes of 2021 and 2022.

TJ Otzelberger and his incredibly talented recruiting staff (Kevin Kruger, Demarlo Slocum, and Tim Buckley) have made it a focal point that they want to build a wall around the Las Vegas valley. It has become their priority to keep top local prospects home so they can play their college basketball for UNLV. One of the players they’ve keyed in on is 2021 Cheyenne product, Glenn Taylor.

Taylor goes by the nickname “Iso Glenn.” Those that have adopted that nickname before him have been NBA players like Joe Johnson and Alonzo Trier. For those that have watched the 6’6 standout play, they’d agree that it is an apropos moniker. The Desert Shield star has turned himself into a scoring machine; however, labeling Taylor as just a scorer would be a disservice and discredit to his versatility. He spent a lot of time playing point guard this past season, on his way to 2nd Team All-State honors.

Taylor’s stock has risen dramatically lately, and he has earned his way into the Top 150 players within his class. He’s also earned quite a few D1 scholarship offers, including Power 5 offers from schools like USC and Washington State. Things change in recruiting with regularity, but as of right now, three schools are making the strongest impression to land his services. In no particular order, it’s UNLV, USC, and UNR. If it’s the Rebels are lucky enough to sign Taylor, they would be getting a player who can do-it-all on a basketball court.

Speaking of big-time local talent, Zaon Collins from Bishop Gorman is arguably the best player in the state coming into next season. The point god led the Gaels to another state title this past season, and he is ranked as a top 50 prospect for 2021.
Collins is the type of point guard that can elevate a program.

He ran last summer with the wildly talented Vegas Elite AAU program, who had players like Josh Christoper, Jaden Hardy, and Julian Strawther on the team. For those that are familiar with those names, it would have been easy for Zaon to get overshadowed by kids who can pick any college in the country they want. Instead, Collins was the catalyst among a squad full of catalysts. His palpable leadership, decision making, shot-making, and athleticism were constantly on display.

Fast forward to the here and now, Collins (Like his Vegas Elite brethren) has a bevy of Power 5 options from which to choose. Most of the Pac-12 covets him, as well as schools like Vanderbilt and TCU. Despite all that interest, it seems to be a 3 team race. Unlike the above mentioned Glenn Taylor, who is more open, I can say on proper authority that UNLV has a very, very strong chance against Arizona State, and USC. Coach Otzelberger wisely prioritized Collins and has not been shy about telling him that the Rebels need what he brings to the table badly. His pitch very well could land UNLV its highest-rated point guard prospect in ages.

As most of us know, recruiting is about relationships. Devin Tillis might have had limited interest from D1 schools, but what can’t be denied is that he had big-time games against big-time competition in Los Angeles while he attended Windward. What his commitment to UNLV also means is getting a foot in the door to a Southern Californian pipeline. Landing Las Vegas locals is essential, but LA and its outlying suburbs have been integral to past Runnin’ Rebel teams for decades.

A perfect example of this is current UNLV standout, Bryce Hamilton. The former CIF Player of the Year from Pasadena is coming off a season where he earned First Team All-MWC honors and is an invaluable piece that will help the Rebels get back into the NCAA Tournament.

Windward has a pair of 2022 prospects on its roster that look up to Tillis like an older brother. Dylan Andrews is a lightning-fast guard in the mold of Collin Sexton, and Kijani Wright is an old school bruiser of a power forward that can step out and hit the three-ball with regularity. Both of them are top 50 players. Wright has been linked to Arizona, but I’ve been told that something is coming down the pipeline soon that could spell doom for Sean Miller. If that’s the case, UNLV’s chances improve dramatically. As for Andrews, a dream backcourt could be in development with him and Collins in scarlet and gray uniforms.

recruiting

– Jeff Waddilove – Franchise Sports Media

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