New UNLV swingman Mashour starts classes

The fall semester began Monday at UNLV, and Karam Mashour, the newest Rebels basketball player, was in class.

The 6-foot-6-inch swingman from Israel is enrolled and eligible to participate in team activities. UNLV beat out UCLA and Florida for Mashour.

"He's a wing who's active and can shoot the ball," UNLV coach Lon Kruger said. "He's a good athlete. He's got a good feel for the game and a great attitude."

"I am very excited to play Division I college basketball," Mashour said in a statement. "It has been a goal of mine for a while. This is a great program to be a part of with a great coaching staff and I am looking forward to being part of the team."

Mashour played for the Israeli national 18-and-under team and spent this summer playing for the Las Vegas Prospects AAU team. His uncle, Jason Awad, lives in Las Vegas.

Interest in Mashour picked up after he worked out this past winter in Las Vegas at the Impact Basketball Academy. The Rebels might have gotten the inside track on Mashour when he participated in the program's basketball camp in June.

Kruger said Mashour, who received a full scholarship, should help UNLV offensively with his shooting touch and range and ability to play both shooting guard and small forward.

"We believe he can help us in several areas," Kruger said.

Contact reporter Steve Carp at scarp@reviewjournal.com or 702-387-2913.