T.J. Otzelberger is after a point guard for the 2020-21 season. He wanted current class of 2022 recruit Milos Uzan to reclassify to the 2021 class so that Uzan could be a Rebel for next season.
“UNLV wanted me to reclassify, but I don’t think I’m going to do that,” Uzan told the Las Vegas Sun.
The four-star point guard ranks just outside the top 100 recruits in the 2022 class, according to 247 Sports. Uzan comes in as the 20th best player at his position.
The need for a point guard next season is the unimportant back story of Zaon Collins, who has been charged with driving under the influence resulting in death. Collins, UNLV’s top recruit in the 2021 class, was traveling over 80 MPH when he struck another vehicle and killed Eric Echeverria.
UNLV has since announced that Collins will not be joining the program.
Now Otzelberger is trying to replace what Collins would have provided on the basketball court. Getting Uzan to reclassify and commit to UNLV, would have given the Rebels a potential star freshman point guard for next season. But with Uzan electing to stay in the 2022 class, UNLV will have to find another option.
It would not be surprising to see Otzelberger reach into the transfer market. If the NCAA changes the transfer rule to allow all players to play immediately after their first transfer, there could be plenty of options for Otzelberger in the transfer portal.
UNLV lost this year’s starting point guard it a leg injury. While Marvin Coleman should be back next season, there is a clear need to upgrade. Coleman’s rise from walk on to starter has been a boost for the early stages of the Otzelberger era.
But if UNLV is going to make a run at the NCAA Tournament, they need more playmaking, more shot creation from the point guard position.