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Sports
Jun. 17, 2008
Copyright © Las Vegas Review-Journal

Ex-Kentucky player Jasper orally commits to UNLV

By MATT YOUMANS
REVIEW-JOURNAL
More Info


Derrick Jasper
Started 27 games as a freshman at Kentucky and played in 20 games last year after knee surgery

With the addition of point guard Derrick Jasper, most of the roster pieces are in place for the UNLV basketball team's puzzle.

Jasper, a 6-foot-6-inch transfer from Kentucky, orally committed to the Rebels during a Sunday meeting with coach Lon Kruger, who has one scholarship remaining for next season.

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    • Jasper said he also considered Arizona, San Diego State and UCLA before deciding to put an abrupt end to the recruiting process.

    "I had planned another couple visits, but everything was perfect on my visit to Las Vegas," he said. "UNLV wins a lot of games and makes it to the NCAA Tournament, and that's always important."

    Jasper, a sophomore who must redshirt next season and will have two years of eligibility remaining, is the seventh player to commit to UNLV since September.

    Kruger has signed four recruits for 2008 -- point guard Oscar Bellfield of Westchester High in Los Angeles, 6-10 center Brice Massamba from Findlay College Prep, small forward Deshawn Mitchell from Monmouth Academy in Howell, N.J., and power forward Darris Santee of Midland (Texas) College.

    Two players who will be prep seniors, 6-10 forward Carlos Lopez of Findlay Prep and guard Justin Hawkins from Woodland Hills (Calif.) Taft High, committed to the Rebels for their 2009 class.

    Jasper, from Paso Robles, Calif., said he wants to attend college close to home so his mom can see him play. As a Division I transfer, he did not sign a letter of intent, but said he plans to enroll in summer classes at UNLV in mid-July.

    As a freshman at Kentucky, Jasper started 27 games. After undergoing left knee surgery last summer, he missed the Wildcats' first 10 games of the 2007-08 season. He played in 20 games and averaged 4.2 points and 5.5 rebounds.

    Jasper said he will use his redshirt year to build strength in his knee. He considered transferring for about two months before Kentucky coach Billy Gillispie granted his release in early June.

    "Gillispie wanted me to think it through and make sure it was the right decision," said Jasper, who is friends with Rebels sophomore point guard Tre'Von Willis. "It's definitely going to be tough sitting out, but I think it will be good for me."

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    cwill wrote on July 15, 2008 10:08 AM: DIE HARD UK FAN HERE -
    We are sorry to see Derrick leave but understand the circumstances. Even though hes stats appear to be that of a bench warmer. This kid is a Game Changer.... Good luck to you guys..


    yahoo wrote on June 18, 2008 09:26 PM: i'm a UK fan & so glad dj is NOT GOING TO u of gAy!!!


    Rebs1 wrote on June 17, 2008 04:51 PM: This is a great signing for the Rebels! Losing Wink will be tough to replace, but I like the combo of Willis and Jasper once Wink is gone. Something people arent discussing is that Jasper picked UNLV over Arizona and UCLA. UNLV is beating out other major programs for players. Sign of a program!


    Charlie Reed wrote on June 17, 2008 04:10 PM: Derrick,good luck with your choice to attend UNLV. It will be great to see you live when you plan California teams. We are so very proud of you. Thanks for taking time to play ball with by sons when you come home at the rec center, and when you were in high school. No matter what others say or how they feel about your choice, you are loved here in Paso Robles, and we support you 100%. Go Rebs! Go Bearcats1!!


    GRG wrote on June 17, 2008 03:34 PM: Here we go again, another signing and more ridiculous thoughts of grandeur. He'll be Lon Gone by 2010.....Sorry, sychophants.....


    Andy wrote on June 17, 2008 03:19 PM: Wonder how much they had to bribe, er, pay him?


    rebelhead wrote on June 17, 2008 02:10 PM: Nice job Rebs, sounds like if he comes off his injury well we should have another piece to our puzzle.





    I think the Rebels will tear up the Mt West again this year.





    Viva las Vegas


    che jones wrote on June 17, 2008 12:03 PM: I recruited this player out of junior high. He's a steal for he program.


    rrrrroberto wrote on June 17, 2008 11:44 AM: Billy Gillispie let him go so easily because he was unhappy at Kentucky. He's a California boy whose mom had never seen him play a game in college before. All Billy wanted was for him to think about his decision for a while and then he released him.


    Dr. Funkenstein wrote on June 17, 2008 11:37 AM: Kruger is the man. Rebs are still movin up. Ralph the hater should go date his sister and think about the good ol days when kentucky used to get more wins than the rebs...


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