Despite signing two top 50 recruits in November, UNLV will not have either one of the roster for Kevin Kruger’s first season.
Arthur Kaluma has re-opened his recruitment, according to Jake Lieberman. This follows UNLV parting ways with Zaon Collins after he was involved in a car accident that killed a man.
All that is left from the recruiting class is three-star guard Keshon Gilbert.
Losing Kaluma limits the ceiling of the 2021-22 UNLV team. As a freshman, Kaluma had the potential to be the best player on a roster devoid of proven scorers. It may have been a lot to ask of a freshman, but as a top 50 recruit Kaluma’s potential was a reason for excitement.
This was not a surprising change of heart for Kaluma. The coach he committed to is gone to Iowa State. And the new coach had a genuine change of tone when discussing Kaluma’s future with UNLV.
Kruger has landed two power forwards in the transfer portal that will soak up the minutes Kaluma would have played. But neither Royce Hamm nor Victor Iwuakor project as high level scorers, even in the Mountain West.
UNLV has four options in the front court with Hamm, Iwuakor and returner Reece Brown as power forwards and David Muoka, a transfer from Lamar, as a true center.
There are three open scholarship spots, so Kruger can still add to the front court. But for now, the Rebels will likely play plenty of minutes without a true center. And potentially plenty of minutes with four guards on the floor.