As the college basketball regular season comes to an end, the transfer portal will undoubtedly begin to fill with more names. With UNLV expected to be active in the transfer market, here are some more players UNLV should be interested in.
(If you missed the first edition of this story click here to read the initial batch of names.)
G/F Au’Diese Toney (Pittsburgh)
Toney attacks the rim. 46 percent of his shots came at the rim this season. For comparison, only 23 percent of Bryce Hamilton’s shots have been at the rim. He also shot 34 percent from three this year, but that may be an outlier, as he was below 30 percent prior to the 2020-21 season.
But the best part of Toney’s game is UNLV is biggest problem: defense. When he transferred, Toney was described as the team’s best defender. If UNLV can land a wing that is a shut down defender and can get to rim, that is a no brainer.
PG Antonio Daye (Florida International)
Daye averaged 17.5 points and 5.2 assists per game for FIU this season. He has playmaking ability with the assists totals and with 56 percent of his shots coming at the rim from the point guard spot. Daye would have been an excellent offensive piece for this year’s UNLV roster.
There is one drawback to Daye and that is his three-point shooting. He his just 26.2 percent of his threes in his career at FIU. Offenses need at least three competent shooters on the floor and having a point guard as a non-threat puts more pressure on at least of the front court players to knock down threes.
F Shon Robinson (Ole Miss)
Robinson only played 19 minutes in his two years at Ole Miss before transferring. He redshirted last season. He has virtually no college stats. But UNLV did offer him a scholarship coming out of college as he was a top 150 recruit. Granted it was Marvin Menzies, not T.J. Otzelberger, that offered him. The potential talent in his 6-foot-11 frame is likely worth taking a shot on.
PG Rich Kelly (Boston College)
Kelly spent three seasons at Quinnipiac and posted excellent assists numbers that culminated with being ranked second in the MAAC in assist rate in 2019-20. In his one season at Boston College, Kelly played in 16 games (started 7) and averaged 2.4 assists.
While Kelly’s assist numbers fell from great to average, his three-point shooting stayed solid. He shot 38.5 percent in his career, including 37.2 percent at Boston College this year.
Kelly might not be a true game changer, but he possesses two skills that would be extremely valuable for UNLV.
PG PJ Pipes (Green Bay)
Pipes averaged 14 points and 3 assists per game for Green Bay before entering the transfer portal. He rarely got shots at the rim, but in four years at Green Bay he shot 38.6 percent from three (and 42.4 percent the last two seasons on nearly five attempts per game).
Like Kelly, he probably isn’t the perfect fit for UNLV’s need. But the shooting and decent assist numbers would make him a worthwhile addition.
UNLV has already reportedly offered A.J. Bramah and Michael Steadman. You can read quick recaps on each player below.
–UPDATE–
Since this story was published, over 20 more names have entered the transfer portal, including a point guard that might be perfect for UNLV.
PG Storm Murphy (Wofford)
The name is phenomenal. But Murphy played four years at Wofford and this past season he averaged 17.8 points and 4.3 assists per game. Aside from the nice assist numbers, Murphy drilled 41.8 percent of his career threes. He is a phenomenal shooter.
The penetration numbers aren’t there (under 25 percent of his shots are at the rim) but the shooting and passing would make Murphy a great addition for UNLV.
Who should they target? All of them.
I agree! Bring them all in