Top recruit KyeRon Lindsay remains committed to UNLV basketball

By Mike Grimala (contact)

Wednesday, April 6, 2022 | 2 a.m.

The UNLV basketball program received some very good news on Tuesday, as top recruit KyeRon Lindsay reaffirmed his commitment to the program.

The 6-foot-8 power forward committed to UNLV in September, but that was before assistant coach Carlin Hartman left the program to take an assistant job at Florida last week. Hartman had been the first UNLV coach to reach out to Lindsay, and the two developed a strong relationship over the past year.

Last offseason, top incoming recruit Arthur Kaluma bailed on his commitment to UNLV in the wake of the program’s coaching change, spurning Kevin Kruger in favor of Creighton; UNLV fans had to be nervous about a similar situation unfolding with Lindsay.

The Denton, Texas, native put those concerns to rest, however. Lindsay told the Sun that while Hartman's departure was a shock, he continues to be tight with Kruger and intends to play at UNLV next season.

“When I first heard about it I was kind of surprised and there was some emotion," Lindsay said of Hartman leaving. "But then I just had to sit back and think, it was a business decision for him and his family. It was an opportunity for him and he took that. It was his choice and I support him, but does it affect my decision? No.”

That should be a major relief to UNLV fans. Lindsay is a key building block for the program and the only high-school recruit in the incoming 2022 class. As a senior this season at Guyer High School, Lindsay posted 23.3 points and 11.6 rebounds per game.

Lindsay is the No. 83 player in the nation according to 247Sports’ composite ratings.

Kruger and Lindsay have maintained an open line of communication during the recruiting process, and especially over the past week in the wake of Hartman's exit.

Kruger did not doubt Lindsay's commitment.

“I talked to him a couple times, talked to his parents,” Kruger said. “They’re still excited about him coming out here. He’s committed to the UNLV program and he wants to be here. Nothing has changed in terms of our approach of getting him here and getting him better.”

Lindsay signed a letter of intent in November, and while that is binding, Kruger opted to release Kaluma from his LOI last year under similar circumstances. If Lindsay wanted out, the program most likely would have obliged.

Fortunately for UNLV, that isn't the case and Lindsay will arrive on campus as scheduled this summer.

Lindsay said he believes Kruger and his current coaching staff have the program heading in the right direction.

“I’ve talked to coach Kruger, coach [Brandon] Chappell and coach [Tim] Buckley a lot recently. They’ve been chatting it up with me, talking about the Final Four and all that, talking about future moves.

“I like coach Kruger," Lindsay continued. "We’re close. We call almost every other day now, having good conversations. Me and him are getting super close. I have trust in him with my development and the development of the program in the future.”

With Lindsay in the fold, UNLV’s recruiting focus remains on the transfer portal. Hartman had been playing a key role in the team’s efforts to attract veteran players, but Kruger doesn’t consider it a setback to be down a man at this pivotal time.

“It’s one less body in the office, one less person talking to guys in the portal and high school,” Kruger said. “But in terms of when it happened and the timing, it wasn’t a disruption.”

Mike Grimala can be reached at 702-948-7844 or [email protected]. Follow Mike on Twitter at twitter.com/mikegrimala.