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UNLV Basketball: Rebels land three-star 2023 guard Brooklyn Hicks

Jan 24, 2022; San Diego, California, USA; UNLV Rebels head coach Kevin Kruger reacts during the first half against the San Diego State Aztecs at Viejas Arena. Mandatory Credit: Orlando Ramirez-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 24, 2022; San Diego, California, USA; UNLV Rebels head coach Kevin Kruger reacts during the first half against the San Diego State Aztecs at Viejas Arena. Mandatory Credit: Orlando Ramirez-USA TODAY Sports

Despite having a number of power conference offers, three-star prospect Brooklyn Hicks made the decision to play for UNLV Basketball in the future.

One of the top prospects out of Washington in the 2023 class is Brooklyn Hicks, a consensus three-star recruit from Lacey, Washington. He’s a 6’3 true shooting guard and is a legit athlete, capable of slashing to the basket and creating scoring chances.

Hicks projects as a true two-way threat at the college level and someone that can contribute at a high level. The shooting guard got interest from a number of relevant programs and recently presented a list of four options in consideration. The teams include Rice, who just landed its first four-star recruit in program history (Keanu Dawes), UNLV, Nevada, and the local option, Washington State.

In the end, only one team could win the sweepstakes.

After missing out on a couple of targets, UNLV Basketball has landed its first commit in the 2023 recruiting class. And Hicks is a big need for a program that’s going to be losing a lot of perimeter players after next season. Guards Elijah Harkless, Jordan McCabe, and Eli Parquet all on are their last years of eligibility, while Ole Miss transfer Luis Rodriguez is also entering his fifth year in college and could depart as well.

That leaves a pair of newcomers in Duquesne transfer Jackie Johnson, as well as Arizona transfer Shane Nowell on the future roster. And who knows what the future does hold for them depending on what happens this upcoming season. So there could very well be an easier-than-expected path to early playing time when Hicks would arrive on campus.

In a Mountain West Conference that will be losing a lot of starpower in the next couple of years, UNLV has a chance to climb the ladder. And having a prospect like Brooklyn Hicks will help the process for the Rebels and head coach Kevin Kruger.