Jones adds zest to Rebels

It might seem Steve Jones has Red Bull running through his veins. But the UNLV senior said the ''energy and enthusiasm'' he brings to basketball practice every day is all natural.

''What you see is what you get. I like life,'' he said. ''People always say, 'You have little kid energy.' I guess I do.''

Jones, a walk-on point guard who transferred from Arizona State before last season, joins forward Darris Santee as the only seniors on the Rebels' roster. While Santee is the quiet type, Jones is all about getting his teammates hyped.

On the floor, junior guards Derrick Jasper and Tre'Von Willis appear to be UNLV's leaders.

Jones is in a backup role, but he's a role model with the example he sets in terms of vocal support and work ethic.

''He's got all the intangibles -- a great attitude, great energy, good leadership abilities, and he will play. He'll definitely play minutes,'' coach Lon Kruger said. ''He brings all that coaches and teammates are looking for to the game.''

Jones was voted the team's Most Inspirational Player last season, when he was a redshirt.

''He didn't even suit up for a game,'' Kruger said, ''so that tells you what his teammates thought of him as it relates to his effort in practice.''

The Rebels are looking to rebound from a 21-11 finish that ended with a loss at Kentucky in the opening round of the National Invitation Tournament. Jones said he sees positive changes coming this season.

When he walks across campus, he hears the same concerns.

'' 'Are you guys going to be good this year?' That's everyone's favorite question to ask,'' Jones said. ''There's a lot of talent on this team. That's what I see every day.

''We have a lot of talent and a lot of depth. You have to come out and compete, because we have a boatload of guys who can play the game. Slowly but surely in practice, we're coming together and getting our chemistry right, and things are headed in the right direction.''

UNLV's strength still lies in its backcourt. Jasper, Willis and sophomore Oscar Bellfield top the depth chart, followed by Jones, junior Kendall Wallace and freshmen Anthony Marshall and Justin Hawkins.

''We have a lot of strong perimeter players,'' Jones said. ''Derrick, Tre and Kendall are shooters. We have guys who can create for others and play unselfishly, like Oscar. But we definitely have a stronger inside presence this year.''

Sophomore swingman Chace Stanback, a transfer from UCLA, has the versatility to be a threat inside and out. Santee, junior Matt Shaw, sophomore Brice Massamba and freshman Carlos Lopez should combine to make the Rebels more formidable in the paint.

The 6-foot-1-inch Jones is unsure how prominently he fits in the picture, and that makes him a perfect fit.

''I'm not really concerned about that. At the end of the day it's not about me, it's about us as a team,'' he said.

Jones, from Portland, Ore., was on the Arizona State team for three years. He played in 27 games, starting two, in the 2006-07 season, and committed just one turnover in 152 minutes on the floor.

After seeing action in just seven games in the 2007-08 season, Jones called Rebels assistant coach Steve Henson to inquire about an opening. Jones' former Sun Devils teammate, Kevin Kruger, who also transferred to UNLV for his senior year, helped pave the way.

''I was lucky to have the opportunity to come here,'' Jones said. ''Kevin always spoke highly of the program.''

A communications major, Jones is entertaining thoughts of transitioning to a career in the media. His dad, Steve ''Snapper'' Jones, has been a TV analyst in the NBA.

But Steve ''Chopper'' Jones sees a potential future for himself as a writer.

''I want to do something in sports, whether it's writing or broadcasting,'' he said. ''I'm pretty good. I've got some writing skills. I won (an essay) contest in high school.

''I do want to do some sort of journalism around the game of basketball. I always wanted to be on ESPN when I was little.''

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