UNLV star guard to explore options in transfer portal

UNLV star point guard Dedan Thomas Jr. will explore his options in the transfer portal, his father confirmed to the Review-Journal on Monday.

The 6-foot-1-inch Thomas averaged a team-leading 15.6 points and 4.7 assists before a shoulder injury sidelined him for the final seven games of his sophomore season.

Thomas will draw plenty of attention from other programs as a former top recruit out of Liberty High School. But Dedan Thomas Sr., a former star guard for UNLV, said his son isn’t set on leaving Las Vegas despite the recent firing of coach Kevin Kruger.

“It’s home, so I wouldn’t quite say the door is closed,” Thomas Sr. said. “We love UNLV. We love Kevin Kruger. It’s a big part of our lives. I would think anybody at their home school with a relationship like he had with the coach would look elsewhere.”

Work ahead for next coach

It’s no surprise that Kruger’s dismissal Saturday after four seasons as coach would change things for Thomas. He’s not the only one.

Jaden Henley’s agent, Harrison Gaines, said Saturday the junior guard is entering the portal. Redshirt freshman James Evans announced his plans to enter the portal hours after Kruger’s ouster was announced, and reports that junior forward Isaiah Cottrell was doing the same began to circulate Friday.

Following the Rebels’ season-ending loss to Utah State in the quarterfinals of the Mountain West tournament, Henley cited team chemistry when he looked ahead to next season.

“I think the biggest thing we can build on is the fight that we had day in and day out,” he said. “We gave it our all, even in the huddles — DJ is hurt, and he’s still active in the huddle. Rob (Whaley) is active in the huddle. I think we can build on that family aspect and keep it going.”

Instead of building on established connections, the Rebels are more likely headed for a rebuild.

The four confirmed portal entries are likely just the start, with Whaley potentially next. The forward missed all but the first two games of the season with a back injury and now can use a medical redshirt for extra eligibility elsewhere. The same is true for transfer guard Jace Whiting, who was sidelined with a foot injury.

The transfer portal opens Monday and closes April 22. If athletic director Erick Harper can hire Kruger’s replacement before the chaos officially begins, the coach could try to convince Thomas to stay and poach new talent from other programs.

Until then, the uncertainty will make a difference for Thomas’ family.

“We don’t know what’s gonna happen,” Thomas Sr. said. “Everyone could enter the portal. We don’t know who they’re bringing in, (so) it’s a weird place for us. It’s like not having a home.”

Thomas’ decision would have NIL implications. Sources said he made more than $400,000 from the school’s collective this season, a payout that doubled from the $200,000 or so he made as a freshman.

It’s unclear whether boosters would be in position to pay him even more next season given that there will be additional pressure to raise funds for a retooled roster, Kruger’s $2.35 million buyout and a new coach’s salary.

Thomas could surely increase his NIL income significantly at a larger program.

Right fit

Thomas arrived at UNLV with big expectations to lead the Rebels to their first NCAA Tournament appearance since 2013. He picked his hometown school over UCLA, Arizona, Florida, Gonzaga and Houston.

But UNLV never made the tournament in his two seasons. The Rebels lost in the Mountain West tournament quarterfinals each year, with Thomas watching this season. They played in the National Invitation Tournament in 2024.

Thomas Sr. said his son plans to take a two-day trip and decompress before he’s thrust into the position of being a sought-after recruit again.

“This process is way different than the first time. We’re relationship people,” Thomas Sr. said. “It has to be the right culture. DJ got taken care of here. His coaches were great to him. Like second dads to him. They sheltered him, being so young in college. We just want it to be the right fit for him.”

Contact Callie Fin at cfin@reviewjournal.com. Follow @CallieJLaw on X.