Lineup taking shape: UNLV basketball roster projection 4.0

The UNLV basketball team wrapped the 2023-24 campaign by qualifying for the postseason for the first time since 2013, and while it was the NIT — not the coveted NCAA Tournament — it still created some momentum for a program that sorely needed to show signs of progress under coach Kevin Kruger.

Now heading into a fourth year under Kruger, the next goal has to be a ticket to the big dance.

That pursuit begins today, when the team will hold its first official practice of the 2024-25 season. That makes it a perfect time to analyze the roster and drop the latest UNLV basketball roster projection.

The first roster projection came immediately following the conclusion of the 2023-24 season, while version 2.0 came after Kruger finished putting together the 2024-25 roster. This version includes some changes, mostly based on an in-depth video review of the newcomers. (Version 4.0 will be published toward the end of preseason practice, after having a chance to watch the team in action).

Here’s how things stand now heading into the preseason practice window:

STARTING LINEUP

Guard: D.J. Thomas, sophomore

Before the first ball is bounced today, UNLV is starting from a position of strength with D.J. Thomas locked in as the starting point guard. He turned in one of the best freshman campaigns in Mountain West history last year, averaging 13.6 points and 5.1 assists, and he should be even more effective with a full year of experience under his belt (remember, Thomas reclassified during his senior year of high school and enrolled in college a year early). Thomas is unquestionably the straw the stirs the drink; the key to UNLV’s chances will be how the pieces fit around him in 2024-25.

Guard: Jailen Bedford, senior

Bedford has a strong track record as a shooter, having made 37.3% from 3-point range last year at Oral Roberts and 44.2% in two years at the junior college level. If he can handle the step up to Mountain West competition and score around the same rate as he did in the Summit League (14.6 points per game in 2023-24), Bedford will be a solid backcourt running mate alongside Thomas.

Wing: Jaden Henley, junior

After losing Luis Rodriguez and Keylan Boone to graduation, the Scarlet and Gray had a desperate need for a lengthy wing to handle tough defensive assignments. Henley should fill that role. The 6-foot-7 DePaul transfer is a capable defender on the perimeter, and though he only averaged 8.6 points last year, he’s got potential on offense. He’s also a transition threat, which could be important, as one of Kruger’s stated offseason goals was building a faster open-court team to take advantage of Thomas’s speed.

Forward: Rob Whaley, senior

Whaley was fun to watch in his first season at UNLV, as he used his build (6-foot-7, 260 pounds) to bully opponents under the rim and his athletic ability to throw down some monster dunks. Now the team is counting on him to progress from being a feel-good story to a real cornerstone in the starting lineup. He’s talented enough to make the leap.

Center: Jeremiah Cherry, junior

The center position was probably the biggest question mark throughout the offseason, but after watching video of Cherry in action, I think he will be the first option to man the middle. He’s gigantic (6-foot-11, 280 pounds) and plays up to those measurables; watching him knock around juco big men was comical at times. The coaching staff probably wants to pair Cherry with Whaley and see if they can pulverize the rest of the conference in the paint.

SIXTH MAN

Guard: Brooklyn Hicks, sophomore

There is a lot of projection here, as Hicks saw his playing time fluctuate as a freshman (11.3 minutes, 2.6 points). But he possesses a real instinct for scoring, which is a valuable skill in the sixth-man role.

BENCH (rotation)

Guard: Jace Whiting, junior

UNLV played last season without a true backup point guard, with Justin Webster and Jackie Johnson trading off those responsibilities. Whiting will get the first opportunity to win the role in practice, and his shooting should help his cause (39.7 3FG% in two years at Boise State).

Forward: Jalen Hill, senior

Hill is a starter-level player, and potentially one of the top defenders in the Mountain West, but he’s still coming back from the ACL injury that ended his 2023-24 season in January. If he can get back to full speed at some point this year — not a guarantee, though his rehab has been on schedule — he’ll be an asset.

Forward: Jacob Bannarbie, freshman

Bannarbie flew way under during his redshirt year, but appeared to develop nicely during practice. He should contribute in the frontcourt, especially if Hill is slow to return and freshman Pape N’Diaye needs time to learn the ropes.

BENCH (depth)

Guard: James Evans, freshman

There is probably room in the rotation for one more perimeter player, and Evans is talented enough to press for playing time as a freshman. The 3-star recruit can score, and his ability to cover ground in transition will make for some exciting highlights.

Wing: Julian Rishwain, senior

Rishwain was a productive bench player at San Francisco, but injuries sidelined him for much of his time at Florida last year (eight games, 62 total minutes). As a sixth-year senior, he’s experienced and enough of an outside shooter (35.7 3FG%) to be helpful.

Center: Pape N’Diaye, freshman

The coaching staff is excited about N’Diaye, a true 7-footer from Trinity International who brings a shot-blocking ability that isn’t present anywhere else on the roster. The question is how long it will take him to acclimate to Division I college basketball.

Center: Isaiah Cottrell, junior

Cottrell actually started 11 games last year, so if he’s the last player on the bench, that’s not a bad way to use the 13^th scholarship. He doesn’t play like a traditional big man (33 2-point attempts, 43 3-point attempts) but can be serviceable in certain matchups.

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