RECRUITING: Rebels reel in Bennett

A question that was thrown around for fun in recent weeks is now open for serious debate: Is UNLV a top-10 basketball team next season with Anthony Bennett?

As always, time will tell. But between now and then, the hype surrounding the Rebels should be an easy sell.

Months of speculation ended Saturday when Bennett, a 6-foot-8-inch, 230-pound forward from Findlay Prep, orally committed to UNLV.

“Even prior to Anthony committing, UNLV’s roster was deep and talented,” Findlay coach Michael Peck said. “You add him to the mix and the potential of that team is scary.”

The nation’s top unsigned senior, Bennett announced his decision on Twitter after calling Rebels coach Dave Rice. Bennett had cut his list of finalists to UNLV and Oregon after eliminating Kentucky and Florida in the previous 10 days.

Bennett is ranked by ESPN.com and Rivals.com as the nation’s No. 7 prospect in the class of 2012.

After going more than two decades without getting a McDonald’s All-American player, the Rebels lured their second in four months.

“I felt a great relationship with the coaches. I went to a lot of games at UNLV and it felt like a second home,” Bennett told ESPN.com.

He did not return messages seeking further comment.

Bennett averaged 16.5 points and 9.8 rebounds last season, helping Findlay Prep (32-1) win the National High School Invitational title for the third time in four years. He missed 19 regular-season games with a hamstring injury.

The Rebels’ projected starting lineup next season could be among the nation’s strongest, and it will have a Canadian connection. In early January, 6-9 Khem Birch transferred from Pittsburgh. Birch, like Bennett, is a former McDonald’s All-American from Canada.

“Anthony has been in the community for two years and he has gotten comfortable out here. He’s got a solid built-in support system,” Peck said. “I think when they got Khem Birch, that really helped, too.”

Birch, expected to become eligible at the semester break in December, figures to start at center.

Bennett wants to play the 3-spot at UNLV, next to junior forward Mike Moser, a first-team all-Mountain West Conference selection last season.

Moser and Bennett, who has a wingspan of 7 feet, can be interchangeable forwards, each capable of rebounding and pushing the ball in transition.

“He’s super explosive and multiskilled. Anthony can step out to shoot the 3 and finish in transition,” Peck said. “In terms of rebounding, you look at his build, and he’s just so strong. People are not going to knock the ball out of his hands or knock him off balance. There are a lot of football coaches who would want to put pads on him.”

Anthony Marshall is likely to be the Rebels’ point guard as a senior, with Southern California transfer Bryce Jones at shooting guard.

Rice also signed three high school players last year, including combo guard Katin Reinhardt of Santa Ana (Calif.) Mater Dei High. Reinhardt is ranked the nation’s No. 38 recruit by Rivals.com.

Demetris Morant, an explosive 6-9 forward from Bishop Gorman High, and 6-1 point guard Daquan Cook from St. Frances High in Baltimore were Rice’s other early signees.

UNLV’s depth will be fortified by senior guard Justin Hawkins, junior guard Reggie Smith and big men Carlos Lopez and Quintrell Thomas.

Yahoo! Sports ranked UNLV the No. 24 team in the nation for next season before the addition of Bennett. ESPN revised its recruiting rankings Saturday and placed the Rebels’ class No. 12.

Rice failed to sign four local players he coveted. Bishop Gorman’s Shabazz Muhammad, the nation’s top senior, chose UCLA after teammates Rosco Allen (Stanford) and Ben Carter (Oregon) also turned down offers by UNLV. Findlay Prep’s Winston Shepard signed with San Diego State.

But the commitment by Bennett should prove to be the hit that will help the Rebels overcome their recruiting misses.

Before Bennett and Birch, the last McDonald’s All-Americans to play for UNLV were Elmore Spencer (1990-92) and Larry Johnson (1989-91). Spencer and Johnson played in the 1987 McDonald’s game.

The Rebels finished 26-9 in Rice’s first season and must replace graduated starters Oscar Bellfield, Chace Stanback and Brice Massamba.

Rice has one scholarship remaining for this year’s class. Savon Goodman, a 6-6 forward from Philadelphia, and 6-8 Connecticut transfer Roscoe Smith are candidates to fill the final spot.