UNLV fans wave glow batons before a game against UNR at the Thomas & Mack Center Wednesday, Feb. 12, 2020.
Wednesday, May 6, 2020 | 10:40 a.m.
Incoming recruit Nick Fleming has asked for and been granted a release from his scholarship agreement, meaning he is free to leave the program and play for another school.
Fleming, a 6-foot point guard, committed to UNLV in September and enjoyed a breakout sophomore season at Highland CC, averaging 11.4 points and 3.9 assists per game. He also connected on 40.6 percent of his 3-point attempts, and UNLV coaches were high on his defensive ability.
Fleming announced his decision on Twitter:
The move wasn’t entirely unexpected. UNLV head coach T.J. Otzelberger signed a big recruiting class for 2020, with six high school players, one juco prospects and one Division I college transfer all set to join the team. Only three seniors graduated from last year’s squad, so moves were going to have to be made in order to fit all eight newcomers under the 13-scholarship limit.
When Fleming committed in the fall it appeared as though there would be a role for him as a defensive-minded point guard, but the unexpected emergence of Marvin Coleman threw a wrench into those plans. As a sophomore, Coleman earned the starting point guard job and consistently drew praise from the coaching staff for his attitude and intensity.
Faced with the prospect of playing behind Coleman for two years, Fleming chose to seek out more favorable situation.
UNLV now has 13 scholarship players on the roster for 2020-21, so this could be the Rebels’ last move of the offseason.
Mike Grimala can be reached at 702-948-7844 or [email protected]. Follow Mike on Twitter at twitter.com/mikegrimala.
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