Ex-Kentucky player Jasper orally commits to UNLV
With the addition of point guard Derrick Jasper, most of the roster pieces are in place for the UNLV basketball team’s puzzle.
Jasper, a 6-foot-6-inch transfer from Kentucky, orally committed to the Rebels during a Sunday meeting with coach Lon Kruger, who has one scholarship remaining for next season.
Jasper said he also considered Arizona, San Diego State and UCLA before deciding to put an abrupt end to the recruiting process.
“I had planned another couple visits, but everything was perfect on my visit to Las Vegas,” he said. “UNLV wins a lot of games and makes it to the NCAA Tournament, and that’s always important.”
Jasper, a sophomore who must redshirt next season and will have two years of eligibility remaining, is the seventh player to commit to UNLV since September.
Kruger has signed four recruits for 2008 — point guard Oscar Bellfield of Westchester High in Los Angeles, 6-10 center Brice Massamba from Findlay College Prep, small forward Deshawn Mitchell from Monmouth Academy in Howell, N.J., and power forward Darris Santee of Midland (Texas) College.
Two players who will be prep seniors, 6-10 forward Carlos Lopez of Findlay Prep and guard Justin Hawkins from Woodland Hills (Calif.) Taft High, committed to the Rebels for their 2009 class.
Jasper, from Paso Robles, Calif., said he wants to attend college close to home so his mom can see him play. As a Division I transfer, he did not sign a letter of intent, but said he plans to enroll in summer classes at UNLV in mid-July.
As a freshman at Kentucky, Jasper started 27 games. After undergoing left knee surgery last summer, he missed the Wildcats’ first 10 games of the 2007-08 season. He played in 20 games and averaged 4.2 points and 5.5 rebounds.
Jasper said he will use his redshirt year to build strength in his knee. He considered transferring for about two months before Kentucky coach Billy Gillispie granted his release in early June.
“Gillispie wanted me to think it through and make sure it was the right decision,” said Jasper, who is friends with Rebels sophomore point guard Tre’Von Willis. “It’s definitely going to be tough sitting out, but I think it will be good for me.”
