UNLV Willis to sit against Southeastern Louisiana; Mashour won’t redshirt
A player will make his season debut for UNLV on Wednesday night, but it won’t be senior guard Tre’Von Willis.
Rebels coach Lon Kruger said after Saturday’s basketball practice that Willis’ suspension will be extended one game and he will sit against Southeastern Louisiana.
Kruger also said freshman swingman Karam Mashour does not want to redshirt this season and will play in Wednesday’s game.
Willis was UNLV’s leading scorer last season and a preseason first-team All-Mountain West Conference selection. He was suspended for three games, including the two exhibitions, in late September as a result of offseason legal issues.
At the time, Kruger said Willis had to meet unspecified guidelines or the suspension could be lengthened. Kruger said Willis has met almost all the requirements, but his "attention to details" has been lacking in a few areas.
"It’s nothing major at all. Nothing significant," Kruger said. "Tre’Von has done well during his suspension, but has left a few details undone. We have closure in sight and are anxious to move on."
Kruger said Willis will return for the Rebels’ game against Wisconsin on Saturday at the Thomas & Mack Center.
Mashour, a 6-foot-6-inch newcomer from Israel, did not play Friday night in UNLV’s season-opening 85-41 victory over UC Riverside. Kruger said after the game he made the decision to hold out Mashour and preferred to redshirt him mostly because of the team’s depth at the perimeter positions.
Kruger and Mashour talked about it again Saturday, and the freshman’s desire to play was too strong.
"Karam just wants to play, and I totally understand. I respect he wants to be a part of this group," Kruger said. "We are totally supportive of this decision and are anxious to get him out on the floor Wednesday. He’s really going to be a good player and an exciting player."
Contact reporter Matt Youmans at myoumans@reviewjournal.com or 702-387-2907.
