UNLV men’s basketball star starts in season opener despite injury
UNLV Rebels guard Dedan Thomas Jr. (11) drives the ball against Alabama State Hornets guard Micah Simpsom (2) during the first half of a basketball game at the Thomas & Mack Center on Monday, Nov. 4, 2024, in Las Vegas. (Chase Stevens/Las Vegas Review-Journal) @csstevensphoto
UNLV Rebels forward Rob Whaley Jr. (5) shoots in front of Alabama State Hornets guard Micah Octave (11) during the first half of a basketball game at the Thomas & Mack Center on Monday, Nov. 4, 2024, in Las Vegas. (Chase Stevens/Las Vegas Review-Journal) @csstevensphoto
UNLV Rebels guard Dedan Thomas Jr. (11) drives to the basket against Alabama State Hornets guard Micah Simpsom (2) during the first half of a basketball game at the Thomas & Mack Center on Monday, Nov. 4, 2024, in Las Vegas. (Chase Stevens/Las Vegas Review-Journal) @csstevensphoto
Alabama State Hornets guard CJ Hines (3) shoots over UNLV Rebels guard Dedan Thomas Jr. (11) during the first half of a basketball game at the Thomas & Mack Center on Monday, Nov. 4, 2024, in Las Vegas. (Chase Stevens/Las Vegas Review-Journal) @csstevensphoto
UNLV Rebels forward Jeremiah Cherry (45) tries to stop a shot from Alabama State Hornets guard Amarr Knox (1) during the first half of a basketball game at the Thomas & Mack Center on Monday, Nov. 4, 2024, in Las Vegas. (Chase Stevens/Las Vegas Review-Journal) @csstevensphoto
UNLV Rebels guard Dedan Thomas Jr. (11) drives to the basket between Alabama State Hornets center Ubong Okon (35) and guard Micah Octave (11) during the first half of a basketball game at the Thomas & Mack Center on Monday, Nov. 4, 2024, in Las Vegas. (Chase Stevens/Las Vegas Review-Journal) @csstevensphoto
UNLV Rebels guard Brooklyn Hicks (13) goes to the basket against Alabama State Hornets guard Micah Octave (11) during the first half of a basketball game at the Thomas & Mack Center on Monday, Nov. 4, 2024, in Las Vegas. (Chase Stevens/Las Vegas Review-Journal) @csstevensphoto
UNLV Rebels head coach Kevin Kruger directs his team during the first half of a basketball game against the Alabama State Hornets at the Thomas & Mack Center on Monday, Nov. 4, 2024, in Las Vegas. (Chase Stevens/Las Vegas Review-Journal) @csstevensphoto
UNLV Rebels guard Jailen Bedford (14) drives to the basket against Alabama State Hornets forward D'Ante Bass (0) during the first half of a basketball game at the Thomas & Mack Center on Monday, Nov. 4, 2024, in Las Vegas. (Chase Stevens/Las Vegas Review-Journal) @csstevensphoto
UNLV Rebels guard Jailen Bedford (14) drives to the basket against Alabama State Hornets guard CJ Hines (3) during the first half of a basketball game at the Thomas & Mack Center on Monday, Nov. 4, 2024, in Las Vegas. (Chase Stevens/Las Vegas Review-Journal) @csstevensphoto
Updated November 4, 2024 - 9:42 pm
Sophomore point guard Dedan Thomas Jr. started for UNLV in Monday night’s season opener against Alabama State at Thomas & Mack Center despite dealing with an ankle injury.
Coach Kevin Kruger said last week Thomas was in a boot and was expected to miss “a couple weeks.” But Kruger said in recent days Thomas would be a game-time decision.
Thomas was the Mountain West’s co-freshman of the year last season after averaging 13.6 points and 5.1 assists per game.
This is a developing story. Check back for updates.
Contact Adam Hill at ahill@reviewjournal.com. Follow @AdamHillLVRJ on X.
