Freshman finds firm footing

If he opted to leave Las Vegas to play college basketball, Anthony Marshall figured some risk was involved.

“I didn’t want to go somewhere and not know what I was getting myself into,” he said.

Marshall had a good idea what he would get at UNLV. He developed a bond with coach Lon Kruger and the Rebels’ assistants, and Marshall trusted that staying home would be more rewarding.

Ranked as a top-100 recruit nationally as a guard at Mojave High School, Marshall was seriously courted by UCLA, Miami, Stanford, Baylor and San Diego State, among other programs. He felt most comfortable choosing UNLV.

“When people found out I was coming here, they supported me a lot,” said Marshall, a 6-foot-3-inch freshman. “The relationship I built with the coaches, the whole coaching staff, that was very helpful in making my decision.

“Whenever the rules allowed, they were there to support me. It’s a great coaching staff.”

Marshall has emerged as a valuable and versatile player for the 18th-ranked Rebels, averaging 4.7 points in seven games as a reserve. His 16.3 minutes per game rank fifth on the team.

Marshall is close to breaking into the starting lineup when UNLV (7-0) faces Kansas State (8-1) at 4 p.m. today at the Orleans Arena, which seats 7,471 and is sold out.

After the Rebels’ game, the arena will be cleared and the doors reopened for a “Big Christmas Showcase” pitting Bishop Gorman against Findlay Prep. Tickets are $10 for the high school game.

Bishop Gorman sophomore shooting guard Shabazz Muhammad and Findlay Prep senior point guard Cory Joseph are two of UNLV’s top recruiting targets.

Joseph and Muhammad will have their pick of elite colleges, and Marshall hopes they follow his lead.

“I know Shabazz on a personal level, and he’s a good kid,” Marshall said. “If he stays, it would be very helpful for us and him. Who doesn’t want to win? You don’t want to go to a losing program.”

The Rebels reached the NCAA Tournament in two of the past three years, boosting the program’s image and making UNLV a more attractive option to players such as Marshall, Muhammad and Joseph.

“Our pitch, which we think is very genuine, is the opportunity to share your college experience with those people who are closest to you,” Kruger said. “As much as Anthony is going to enjoy these next four years, his family and friends are going to be able to share that with him.

“If you’re somewhere else, they can follow you, but they can’t really share it like they can with Anthony.”

Marshall, who scored a career-high 14 points in a victory over Holy Cross on Nov. 25, is earning a prominent role in Kruger’s 11-man rotation by consistently defending, rebounding and scoring.

Kruger has used Marshall and freshman guard Justin Hawkins for extended minutes in important games.

“Anthony has a lot of poise and composure, and he likes to compete,” Kruger said. “He’s a good all-around player. He can do a lot of different things. He can play the point and play wing, and he’s good defender and good rebounder.”

Marshall would prefer to be a better shooter. He is shooting 39 percent from the field, including 0-for-9 from 3-point range, and 5-for-9 on free throws.

Assistant coach Steve Henson is working with Marshall on his shooting form. Marshall has been lofting his shots unusually high, the result, he said, of a right hamstring injury in October.

“I couldn’t get any lift on my shots and my free throws because of my hamstring. I’ve been aiming at my target more now instead of shooting it up so high,” Marshall said. “I’m kind of down because I’m missing shots, but I wish my whole overall game would improve. I feel I’ve got to handle the ball better and pass better.

“I’m starting to get a lot of minutes, so it’s helping my confidence, and I’m feeling comfortable when I get out there on the court. I think I’m making progress.”

Contact reporter Matt Youmans at myoumans@reviewjournal.com or 702-387-2907.