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NCAA Basketball: Analyzing new options for 5-star 2022 recruit Enoch Boakye

By Tristan Freeman

Mar 7, 2020; Durham, North Carolina, USA; Duke Blue Devils head coach Mike Krzyzewski directs his team during the second half against the North Carolina Tar Heels at Cameron Indoor Stadium. The Blue Devils won 89-76. Mandatory Credit: Rob Kinnan-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 7, 2020; Durham, North Carolina, USA; Duke Blue Devils head coach Mike Krzyzewski directs his team during the second half against the North Carolina Tar Heels at Cameron Indoor Stadium. The Blue Devils won 89-76. Mandatory Credit: Rob Kinnan-USA TODAY Sports /
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NCAA Basketball T.J. Otzelberger UNLV Rebels David Jenkins Jr. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
NCAA Basketball T.J. Otzelberger UNLV Rebels David Jenkins Jr. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images) /

Ever since head coach T.J. Otzelberger left South Dakota State to UNLV a couple of years ago, the Rebels have yet to experience much winning. Currently, they’re 8-11 (5-7) on the season and are in the middle of the Mountain West but a clear tier below the top-4 teams.

The good news is that reinforcements are on the way in terms of the 2021 recruiting class. UNLV currently has a top-20 class, led by top-50 commits, Arthur Kaluma and Zaon Collins. It’s a big if, but if junior guards Bryce Hamilton and David Jenkins Jr. (combined to average 33.4 ppg and 5.4 apg this season) can come back for another year, the Rebels could have the most talented starting lineup in the Mountain West.

With senior center Cheikh Mbacke Diong set to graduate, the center position would be wide open for Boakye to come in and play 30+ mpg as a freshman. He could easily reclassify and play next season for the mid-major team with lots of potential.

Of course, it’s hard to envision a player going from one of the most prestigious programs to a mid-major that is rebuilding its image. UNLV hasn’t been in the NCAA Tournament since 2013 and is clearly behind the likes of San Diego State and Utah State in the Mountain West pecking order. Considering the many other power conference options Boakye will have, the Rebels’ odds aren’t high to win this one.

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