Ethan Anderson
UNLV basketball recruit Ethan Anderson.
Thursday, Jan. 31, 2019 | 2 a.m.
The Rebel Room
Name on the front of the jersey
Round and round we go on the Rebel rollercoaster. UNLV has shown plenty of reasons for optimism in a long span since our last episode, but a blowout loss at San Diego State cut into the enthusiasm. Ray Brewer and Mike Grimala discuss where the Rebels currently stand, and what to expect over the next week.
UNLV’s backcourt is going to look very different next year. Two of the Rebels’ starting guards, seniors Noah Robotham and Kris Clyburn, are set to graduate, and they happen to be the team’s co-leaders in minutes. So playing time will be available.
The good news for the Rebels is that the incoming 2019 recruiting class could provide immediate support in the form of guards Ethan Anderson and Josh Pierre-Louis.
Anderson and Pierre-Louis both signed their letters of intent in November, and they’ve spent the past three months putting up big numbers while leading powerhouse teams on opposite coasts. Anderson, a 6-foot-1 point guard, has his Fairfax (Calif.) team ranked No. 3 in the Los Angeles Times’ boys’ basketball rankings, while 6-foot-3 Pierre-Louis has his Roselle Catholic squad ranked No. 2 in the state by the New Jersey Star-Ledger.
Anderson has blossomed as a scorer this season, averaging 23 points per game. He scored 23 on Monday in Fairfax’s win over No. 5-ranked Westchester. Pierre Louis is averaging 15.7 points per game for Roselle Catholic.
It’s no guarantee that either freshman will be able to step in and contribute right away for UNLV next year, but Anderson said he has been in contact with the Rebels’ coaching staff and that they’ve let him know what they need from him when he gets to Las Vegas.
Anderson said outside shooting has been his top priority, as well as polishing his point guard skills.
“I’ve been really focused ever since committing,” Anderson said. “I want to make an impact as soon as I get there. I’m shooting the ball better than I ever have. I’m shooting the ball from NBA range and shooting more consistently. The coaches told me they’re looking for a point guard who can get everyone involved and average a lot of assists, so I’m not coming in selfish. My main focus will be coming in and getting everyone else involved.”
Pierre-Louis has also expanded his scoring arsenal this season. He averaged 8.8 points as a junior to help Roselle Catholic win a state title, and as a senior he has taken on a bigger role and bumped his production up to 15.7 points per game. The athletic combo guard is also averaging 3.2 steals.
Neither player possesses a blue-chip rating — Anderson is listed as the No. 290 player in the country according to the 247Sports composite rankings, while Pierre-Louis is No. 353 — but Anderson isn’t particularly worried about that.
“Of course I see it,” Anderson said. “Social media makes it a big thing, but I just ignore it. I’m ranked lower than I think I should be, but I’m not worried about what ranking I am. I’m focused on coming to UNLV and making an impact any way I can: defense, rebounds, assists, points. That’s all I’m thinking about.”
You can see Anderson's 3-point stroke and powerful driving style in this highlight package from Fairfax's win over Westchester (he's No. 20 in red):
And you can watch highlights of Pierre-Louis going for 30 points in a Roselle Catholic win over Camden on Sunday (he's No. 4 in white):
Mike Grimala can be reached at 702-948-7844 or [email protected]. Follow Mike on Twitter at twitter.com/mikegrimala.
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