UNLV to recognize four exiting seniors
If Jordan Mccabe had a time machine, he’d give himself some advice about letting go of the past.
Two years ago, Mccabe was testing out the transfer portal. He was looking for a new opportunity after a three-year stint at West Virginia left him feeling underwhelmed.
The point guard from Kaukauna, Wisconsin, hadn’t played as much as he’d expected, and the Mountaineers’ style didn’t suit him.
Mccabe chose a new path when he committed to UNLV and Kevin Kruger, a first-year coach with only one player on his roster. Two years later, Mccabe has moved forward. He’s at peace with the way his time at West Virginia played out, partially because he rediscovered his joy for basketball at UNLV.
“I think you have to take a look internally, instead of trying to blame everyone else,” Mccabe said. “I’d tell (myself ) once you enter that portal, whatever happened before doesn’t matter. You take everything that’s happened and try to make yourself as good as you can possibly be.”
Mccabe is one of four players who will be honored during UNLV’S senior night Wednesday before the Rebels (17-11, 6-10 Mountain West) take on Utah State (22-7, 11-5) at the Thomas & Mack Center. Mccabe will be joined by Elijah Parquet, EJ Harkless and Cameron Burist.
“Incredibly thankful and appreciative they chose to be here,” Kruger said.
While Mccabe spent two years at UNLV, Parquet and Harkless are completing their only campaigns with the Rebels.
Harkless spent his first two seasons at Cal State Northridge before transferring to Oklahoma.
Parquet spent four seasons at Colorado before arriving at UNLV.
The guard was a defensive difference-maker at the beginning of the season, but has struggled with injuries and has missed UNLV’S past two games.
Burist, a walk-on guard and Las Vegas native who played at Liberty, spent two seasons at UNLV after arriving from Mesa Community College in Arizona. Kruger has repeatedly praised him for his attitude and ability running the scout team.
Mccabe and Harkless know it’s possible these last few games will be their last time playing high-level basketball. While they want to pursue professional careers at some level, they recognize it’s not a guarantee.
Both players said they hope their legacies at UNLV will be as teammates who helped others get better.
“This was the culture I wanted to be a part of,” Mccabe said. “It was everything I expected it to be.”