Adam Zagoria covers basketball at all levels. He is the author of two books and an award-winning journalist whose articles have appeared in ESPN The Magazine, SLAM, Sheridan Hoops, Sports Illustrated, Basketball Times and in newspapers nationwide.
UNLV keeps piling up talented frontcourt bodies for the future.
After landing Pittsburgh transfer Khem Birch and Findlay Prep’s Anthony Bennett, both McDonald’s All-Americans, the Rebels on Friday landed a commitment from UConn transfer Roscoe Smith.
“He brings invaluable experience after being a two-year starter at UConn and a starter on [their] national title team,” UNLV coach Dave Rice told Jon Rothstein of CBSSports.com.
“We’re intrigued by his versatility. He’s going to have an opportunity to make plays on the floor.”
UNLV will apply for a waiver to get Smith, a 6-foot-8 sophomore, eligible immediately after UConn was banned from the 2013 postseason, according to reports. The school could also opt to redshirt Smith for the 2013-14 season.
“Congrats to my brother @RoscoeSmith22 wish him nothing but the best at UNLV I know u will do big things.” Tweeted former UConn forward Alex Oriakhi, who himself transferred to Missouri.
UConn’s Michael Bradley also transferred to Western Kentucky and Andre Drummond and Jeremy Lamb declared for the NBA Draft.
Smith started on UConn’s national championship team in 2011, averaging 6.3 points and 5.2 rebounds. But he lost his starting job and averaged 4.4 points and 3.4 rebounds last year.
UNLV has also signed forward Demetris Morant, Shabazz Muhammad’s former teammate at Las Vegas Bishop Gorman, and reportedly has one scholarship left. They remain in the mix for 6-6 Philly Constitution wing Savon Goodman.
For more on Goodman’s latest visit, click here.
Adam Zagoria is a Basketball Insider who covers basketball at all levels. A contributor to The New York Times and SportsNet New York (SNY), he is also the author of two books and is an award-winning journalist and filmmaker. His articles have appeared in ESPN The Magazine, SLAM, Sheridan Hoops, Basketball Times and in newspapers nationwide. He also won an Emmy award for his work on the SNY mini-documentary on Syracuse guard Tyus Battle.
A veteran Ultimate Frisbee player, he has competed in numerous National and World Championships and, perhaps more importantly, his teams won the Westchester Summer League (WSL) championships in 2011 and 2013.
He lives in Manhattan with his wife and children.
UNLV keeps piling up talented frontcourt bodies for the future.
After landing Pittsburgh transfer Khem Birch and Findlay Prep’s Anthony Bennett, both McDonald’s All-Americans, the Rebels on Friday landed a commitment from UConn transfer Roscoe Smith.
“He brings invaluable experience after being a two-year starter at UConn and a starter on [their] national title team,” UNLV coach Dave Rice told Jon Rothstein of CBSSports.com.
“We’re intrigued by his versatility. He’s going to have an opportunity to make plays on the floor.”
UNLV will apply for a waiver to get Smith, a 6-foot-8 sophomore, eligible immediately after UConn was banned from the 2013 postseason, according to reports. The school could also opt to redshirt Smith for the 2013-14 season.
“Congrats to my brother 