Rebels’ Willis embraces ‘positive side’

An arrest and a suspension were the worst and most publicized parts of UNLV senior Tre'Von Willis' summer and fall.

The better half of his life has not been basketball. On the personal side, his daughter, Tremiyah, was born Sept. 22.

So while Willis has been a part-time player, participating only in practices with the Rebels while he served a four-game suspension, he has been a busy father.

"I'm a full-time parent," he said. "You never really get a break, but it's really been a joy. No matter how bad a day is going or something like that, every time you look at her you smile, and that's definitely the positive side."

Willis is set to make his first court appearance of the season when UNLV (2-0) hosts Wisconsin (2-0) at 4 p.m. today at the Thomas & Mack Center.

The 6-foot-4-inch guard from Fresno, Calif., the team's leading scorer last season at 17.2 points per game, will debut off the bench. He talked as if he expected to be a starter, saying he didn't learn he would be a reserve until informed by the media.

Rebels coach Lon Kruger said he wants to work Willis into the rotation in "shorter spurts" until he's in better game condition.

"I'm just ready to play basketball, coming off the bench or whatever," Willis said. "I'll do whatever I can do to help the team."

UNLV players have insisted Willis' off-court issues from the summer have not been a distraction to the team. Willis was arrested June 29 for allegedly choking a female friend. He pleaded no contest to misdemeanor battery charges Sept. 28.

Kruger initially said Willis would be suspended for 10 percent of the season, a minimum of three games, but Kruger announced Nov. 13 that the suspension would be extended to four games. Neither Kruger nor Willis detailed the reasons.

When asked for his opinion of the events of the past several months, Willis politely declined.

"I kind of don't want to answer that question," he said. "I don't worry about it. It's just a tragic situation, from top to bottom. I wish I could get into details."

The mother of his daughter is Erica Helms, a senior guard on the UNLV women's team. Helms, the Lady Rebels' leading scorer last season, is already playing in games two months after giving birth.

"It definitely amazes me. I don't know how she's doing it," Willis said. "It's the closest thing to Superwoman what she's been through."

Kruger said Willis, a preseason first-team All-Mountain West Conference selection, has shown strong leadership qualities during his suspension.

"He has handled that part of it very well," Kruger said. "I think he made as much progress as any player could from his sophomore to junior year in affecting his team in a positive way.

"He's a more experienced and stronger player. But in his first game, it may be that he's not all those things right away. Two weeks from now, he'll feel a lot more comfortable."

The Rebels did not miss Willis in two exhibition games or in blowout victories over Southeastern Louisiana and UC Riverside. He should provide a boost against the Badgers, one of the Big Ten's top teams.

"I think as soon as he gets on the court, we're going to be a much better team," sophomore guard Anthony Marshall said. "He gives us the offense that we need. He brings that attitude that we're not going to give up anything on defense. He's going to fit perfectly, I think."

Marshall, who essentially assumed Willis' spot in the starting lineup, leads UNLV in scoring (15.0 points per game) and assists (4.5).

He said Willis' demeanor has been a steadying influence.

"You wouldn't even know he was going through anything, on the basketball court and off the court," Marshall said. "He's the same person as last year. He's the same vocal leader we had."

Off the court, Willis changes diapers and feeds his daughter. On the court, he has recovered from minor knee surgery in early August. His wait to return to a basketball game has ended.

"It kind of hasn't hit me yet," he said Friday. "I guess I'll feel that (today)."

Contact reporter Matt Youmans at myoumans@reviewjournal.com or 702-387-2907.