I see you guys talking about DJ bringing players with him. Is that from his AAU connection or local high school guys? Any ability to verbalize the options of who may follow?
It's happening...
- Thread starter lobbybuu
- Start date
Both! I won't make a public announcement for anyone and ruin it, but there's only so many guys that have the talent to run with the Rebels.
One silent commits already. Not sure about anyone else for sure at this point. They're all 2024.
Only update I have for 2023 is we will be pressing hard for the Wazzu center
STORY TIME
Dedan was officially committed on the morning of 5/3. When I posted "It's Happening," that's when it literally happened. This then caused a huge domino effect.
We were really cold at one point in his recruitment as we all know, but the pieces that we got were very important. Remember when I said he was on an unofficial with the trifecta? That was the weekend that sold it for him. Being in the gym with the trifecta, LuRod, and Cottrell was huge in helping him visualize how this season would go. He loved it. His family obviously loved it and they really bought into the vision that the staff was selling. Genuineness and a willing to go out and take risks paid off. The risk here was going all out for the trifecta. If we didn't get them, we really might have had no transfers committed.
Deivon Smith was a lock to come but had to pivot to Utah once Dedan decided. Deivon told other programs he was coming to UNLV so the interest dried up, but Utah was the only school that stayed on him still which is why he ended up there. That's why he didn't take any other visits. It was announced that day around 1/2pm that he would be visiting Utah and the rest is history.
Jaden Bradley then committed to Arizona later that day, around 4pm, because they said they'd take him if Dedan didn't come. Clearly they valued Dedan more, so this recruiting dub over Arizona is huge.
Houston took Cryer over Dedan. Houston was the leader and asked Dedan multiple times to commit. He didn't, so they took Cryer.
UCLA and Gonzaga were never serious contenders, even though a couple of people thought so. Gonzaga was ALWAYS aiming for Nembhard. This was an in-season decision for Gonzaga so their communication fell through. I'm not 100% sure on why UCLA wasn't higher on his list tbh. Apologies.
Florida was really up there, came in third behind us and Arizona. Issue for them was they wanted a veteran lead guard, which they got. Wanted to pair a veteran and Dedan in the starting lineup. I'm not 100% sure why that fizzled out and its my pure speculation that maybe that wasn't the right situation for Dedan. Strong comp though because of Hartman connections.
All in all, it was a rollercoaster, but settled about a week and a half ago. Dedan wanted to play here and his parents wanted him to as well. However they needed to be shown that Dedan would be put in a situation where he would succeed and the staff showed that. Jalen Hill was the truly the key. Obviously they are from different classes and a bit far apart in age, but they've always known each other and so have the families. It helps a lot when your "big bro" is confirming everything that your dad is saying about a school. Yes, your pops and family can tell you good things, but most of the time it sounds better when someone younger says it. Give credit to Jalen, he really was working behind the scenes. I've been saying that "Visualization is key" and it truly paid off in this situation. Shout out to the current players that and trifecta for pushing this over the edge.
In terms of the future, Free and Pharoah wouldn't have taken those visits if Dedan wasn't committed. That's why those visits weren't announced publicly beforehand, because it was dependent on Dedan. Once he committed, the ball started rolling. Someone is already committed for 2024. If you saw how I commented on certain things before, you can infer who it is. That news will drop publicly whenever they feel comfortable.
We are back! The hype right now surrounding the team will extremely high. We just need to deliver and I think we will. We have all the pieces lined up.
I apologize for the long essay, but I thought some would be interested in this. It's a great day to be a Rebel!
Dedan was officially committed on the morning of 5/3. When I posted "It's Happening," that's when it literally happened. This then caused a huge domino effect.
We were really cold at one point in his recruitment as we all know, but the pieces that we got were very important. Remember when I said he was on an unofficial with the trifecta? That was the weekend that sold it for him. Being in the gym with the trifecta, LuRod, and Cottrell was huge in helping him visualize how this season would go. He loved it. His family obviously loved it and they really bought into the vision that the staff was selling. Genuineness and a willing to go out and take risks paid off. The risk here was going all out for the trifecta. If we didn't get them, we really might have had no transfers committed.
Deivon Smith was a lock to come but had to pivot to Utah once Dedan decided. Deivon told other programs he was coming to UNLV so the interest dried up, but Utah was the only school that stayed on him still which is why he ended up there. That's why he didn't take any other visits. It was announced that day around 1/2pm that he would be visiting Utah and the rest is history.
Jaden Bradley then committed to Arizona later that day, around 4pm, because they said they'd take him if Dedan didn't come. Clearly they valued Dedan more, so this recruiting dub over Arizona is huge.
Houston took Cryer over Dedan. Houston was the leader and asked Dedan multiple times to commit. He didn't, so they took Cryer.
UCLA and Gonzaga were never serious contenders, even though a couple of people thought so. Gonzaga was ALWAYS aiming for Nembhard. This was an in-season decision for Gonzaga so their communication fell through. I'm not 100% sure on why UCLA wasn't higher on his list tbh. Apologies.
Florida was really up there, came in third behind us and Arizona. Issue for them was they wanted a veteran lead guard, which they got. Wanted to pair a veteran and Dedan in the starting lineup. I'm not 100% sure why that fizzled out and its my pure speculation that maybe that wasn't the right situation for Dedan. Strong comp though because of Hartman connections.
All in all, it was a rollercoaster, but settled about a week and a half ago. Dedan wanted to play here and his parents wanted him to as well. However they needed to be shown that Dedan would be put in a situation where he would succeed and the staff showed that. Jalen Hill was the truly the key. Obviously they are from different classes and a bit far apart in age, but they've always known each other and so have the families. It helps a lot when your "big bro" is confirming everything that your dad is saying about a school. Yes, your pops and family can tell you good things, but most of the time it sounds better when someone younger says it. Give credit to Jalen, he really was working behind the scenes. I've been saying that "Visualization is key" and it truly paid off in this situation. Shout out to the current players that and trifecta for pushing this over the edge.
In terms of the future, Free and Pharoah wouldn't have taken those visits if Dedan wasn't committed. That's why those visits weren't announced publicly beforehand, because it was dependent on Dedan. Once he committed, the ball started rolling. Someone is already committed for 2024. If you saw how I commented on certain things before, you can infer who it is. That news will drop publicly whenever they feel comfortable.
We are back! The hype right now surrounding the team will extremely high. We just need to deliver and I think we will. We have all the pieces lined up.
I apologize for the long essay, but I thought some would be interested in this. It's a great day to be a Rebel!
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This is cool putting his Dad in the post
Thank you so much for your posts and insight. You rock Tark Court!
Thanks. It is also great new Cottrell is back in the gym. Also, there is already a commitment for 2024.
This is great for the Rebels and he will have a great MENTOR in Jackie Johnson3 the kids a hard worker they will have battles in practice to get him ready for the MWC. The roster is loaded
Thomas Jr Starting and Jackie Johnson backing him up to go with Lou rod,Nowell, Boone twins and Jalen. Tournament me please 😂😂😂😂 i
This is a great Roster THEY ARE at least 2 DEEP AT PG, SG, SF, now they need some Beef up front to complete it
This is going to be my concern as well...we need some polished big men.
Lots to like about this class with upgrades at every position. Great to have Dedan Thomas's son wearing a Rebel uniform. If he follows his dad's footsteps point guard will be a worry-free position for once. Hope we can land a good big with a couple of years of eligibility.
Boy!!! I wish I could be in practice to see the 2 point guards Dedan and Johnson going at it at practice everyday lol LETSSSS Good Rebels
Would love to see if anyone on this board has footage of his dad playing as I was born in 89 and wasn’t blessed to ever watch him play
Although I know nothing, I’d be shocked if Cronin wanted anything to do with the circus
First time I met Dedan was in Aug 1990. I knew Bobby Joyce from High School (he went to a different school than me but we hung out), so when I got to UNLV my first semester I looked him up this was pre cell phones. Anyway Bobby was roommates with Evric Gray who is still a good friend today. I went to their apartment and I believe Dedan like me had just got to LV and didn’t have a place to live so he was sleeping on their couch. Pinned to the refrigerator door was a paper with “chores” listed on it. Both Bobby and Evric has a list, vacuum, take garbage out, wash the dishes, drink 40’s, etc.
Next to Dedans name his only chore listed was “Sleep”.
First one, I don't know about...
Second one, not likely... Gilbert was done with the staff midway through season. Based on @lobbybuu story above, I doubt there was any influence in that decision.
The insiders on this board might be able to give more information but a UCLA insider claims he got almost 1 million in NIL.
If true, I am truly am happy for the Thomas family. Love his Dad's game and commitment to Coach Tark ...
I am happy for the school that someone actually stepped up with that kind of money.
Now maybe we can lose the narrative that there’s no money… if the point is worthwhile like a quality player that makes the program better “poof” money shows up, let’s remember that going forward!
I won't comment on Dedan's bag until it's public but if they're salty about that and claim that they didn't want to match it, that's sad.
Dedan is more impactful than any player on their roster right now. And Devin Williams is good friends with Dedan and really wanted him to come.
Idk the context of the UCLA insiders claim, but we won the battle regardless. Money wasn't the deciding factor.
-From someone that was there when the offers were made
Yeah like a UCLA poster would know or maybe that just a justification to make himself feel better. There was probably a good NIL but I’d bet the deciding factor was just an all out effort by the staff to build a great relationship with him and the family over the past 2 years. CKK gets the credit for this one 100% although it was a complete staff and roster effort.
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Today was a great day for me. Dedan's son committed to UNLV and my Celtics won in an emphatic fashion. Good day, man...
And I saw Greg Anthony back on the NBA network taking about the Celtics...
That's always been the case... same with football then poof, money for buyouts and high salary head coaches and staff..
If the right players or coaches are available and ready, the money shows itself. Hopefully they can deliver results now and keep the bag growing for continuing to get the top players.
Lon is here. I'm confident about that.
We had a Hall of Fame coach in Tark work the sideline here at UNLV. Now we have a living Hall of Fame coach in Lon Kruger residing in Vegas. His son is our coach.
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