Las Vegas Review-Journal

Big decision looming

Freshman star continues to grow as NBA experts assess draft potential

- By Mike Grimala A version of this story was posted on lasvegassu­n.com.

For Brandon Mccoy, the countdown is on. There are four games left in the regular season for UNLV, followed by the Mountain West Conference tournament, and if things go well, another game or two in the NIT (or if things go really well, the NCAA Tournament). A half dozen games, give or take, and then it’s decision time for Mccoy.

Will he declare for the NBA draft?

He came to UNLV as a five-star recruit, advertised as an instant-impact big man. Mccoy has fulfilled that hype, as he’s averaging a team-high 17 points, 10.1 rebounds and 1.9 blocks, and he has been the key piece in the Rebels’ turnaround from an 11-20 season to a team on the verge of 20 wins ( the Rebels are currently 19-8 overall, 8-6 in conference).

Mccoy also was advertised as a surefire one-anddone prospect, however, and it appears he’s lived up to that billing as well. Recent mock drafts published by Sports Illustrate­d, Bleacher Report, CBS Sports and Nbadraft.net have him pegged as a first-round pick, slotted in the 24-26 range.

Last week, Mccoy addressed questions about his NBA future by kicking the can down the road.

Opponent

Florida A&M

Prairie View A&M Eastern Washington Rice

Utah

Southern Utah Northern Iowa

Arizona

Oral Roberts

Illinois

Pacific

Mississipp­i Valley State Northern Colorado Boise State

San Jose State

Utah State

Air Force

New Mexico

Colorado State

Fresno State

San Diego State

San Jose State

Boise State

UNR

Wyoming

Air Force

San Diego State

Points

25 15 17 23 26 15 9 33 17 22 21 13 10 16 23 23 8 9 9 13 21 22 24 8 19 10 9

Rebounds Blocks

18 11 8 10 17 14 7 10 6 10 13 5 13 10 3 9 5 6 10 13 7 17 8 8 15 13 6 2 1 0 1 1 6 1 0 4 3 0 2 2 0 1 1 1 1 1 2 2 3 2 2 3 5 4

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