UNLV basketball coach T.J. Otzelberger has wasted no time solidifying his 2020 recruiting class. Otz struck again this week as Highland (Ill.) Community College point guard Nick Fleming announced his commitment to the Runnin’ Rebels. Fleming is the fifth commit for the 2020-21 season.
The 6-foot defensive-minded ball handler averaged 10.6 points and 2.7 assists per game for Highland this past season. He joins a solid recruiting class for 2020 that includes one four-star and three other three-star athletes, including Nick Blake and former Coronado standout Jhaylon Martinez.
“Coach T.J. envisions me coming in and being the leader,” Fleming said in the Las Vegas Sun. “He wants me to come in, defend at a high level and fit the role and help us play as a team.”
Thank you God! Blessed🙏🏽💙 @TheRunninRebels pic.twitter.com/o5DHLxrdDO
— Nick Fleming (@__Flemlife) September 26, 2019
Fleming’s presence boosts Oztelberger’s program strategy of speedy and athletic guards. While size is an issue in the program, three-guard sets and smaller and faster lineups are emerging as the focal point in UNLV’s new system. It remains to be seen if the Rebels can find success in the Mountain West, where teams with size perennially win the most ballgames.
Almost 50% of Fleming’s shots last year came where three-pointers. He hit just 40-of-131 (30.5%), which isn’t great but serviceable. While his outside shooting could use some improvement, he is a consistent from the charity stripe, shooting 80.6% from the free-throw line.
What sets Fleming apart is his ability to make plays and spread the ball around, which is a necessity in Oztelberger’s offense.
“They’re not typical anymore, but (Nick Fleming’s) a playmaking point guard,” Highland coach Chad Boudreau said. “He’s a pass-first guy. He really enjoys seeing his teammates succeed.”
UNLV’s 2020 class is rated 13th nationally, according to 247Sports’ composite rankings but don’t include Nick Fleming’s commitment. The Runnin’ Rebels’ class rank would shoot up even more if the program lands Bishop Gorman standout forward, Mwani Wilkinson, who is rated as a four-star prospect.
According to the Las Vegas Review-Journal, Wilkinson is considering Louisiana State, Southern California, Texas Tech and Vanderbilt.
With the official practices of 2019-20 underway, Oztelberger has his short-term sights set on returning UNLV to respectability on the national stage. While expectations are tempered for this season, every 2020 recruit bolsters the enthusiasm for a coach who has put in a ton of time reaching out to the local community.
The Runnin’ Rebels open up their exhibition schedule Nov. 5 against Fort Wayne (Ind.). UNLV Athletics will hold its annual free preseason fan event for its men’s basketball and women’s basketball programs on Saturday, Oct. 5, outside Sam Boyd Stadium.
The UNLV Basketball Showcase, will be held in conjunction with the Rebels’ football game against Boise State. It will be located adjacent to the Rebel Block Party near the west entrance of the stadium. The unique event will begin at 6 p.m.
Open to the public, the Showcase will be the first chance for fans to get a glimpse of this year’s Runnin’ Rebels, and will feature team introductions, a variety of basketball competitions including both teams and fans, autographs and more.
“We are looking forward to starting the season with this event at Sam Boyd Stadium before the Rebel football game,” Otzelberger said. “It’s always great to be out in the community and this will give us another opportunity to get to know Rebel fans.”
The Thomas & Mack Center court that was used through the 2016-17 season will be transported to the stadium’s parking lot to be used along with portable bleachers.
