Rebels get commitment from JC forward

On the plains of West Texas, it can be lonely and quiet. Darris Santee has found that setting to be an ideal place to play basketball.

"There isn't much to do but work on your game," he said.

The 6-foot-8-inch, 225-pound power forward from Midland College is bringing his game to UNLV, he announced Tuesday.

Santee gave a verbal commitment to Rebels coach Lon Kruger, who is not allowed to comment until Santee signs in November because of NCAA rules.

Kruger has two scholarships available for the 2008 recruiting class, and Santee is the first to commit.

Santee said he made his official campus visit early this month and found Las Vegas to be more entertaining than Midland, Texas. But he also liked the Rebels' up-tempo style of play and their obvious need for a big man.

"When I went there on my visit, I really liked the players and the whole coaching staff," he said. "UNLV was the main school I was looking at for a long time. They were recruiting me the longest."

Santee attended Marshall High School near Houston, where he played against Rebels junior guard Wink Adams. He said his friendship with Adams factored into his decision.

"I was pretty heavily recruited in high school," said Santee, who was pursued by major-conference programs in the Big Ten, Big 12 and Pacific-10 but was a nonqualifier and had to go to junior college.

"I'm versatile and I can play four positions," he said. "I can play down low and I can shoot the ball and defend."

Santee averaged about 15 points per game last season for Midland, which finished 29-8 and won the NJCAA national championship.

Two of his teammates committed to major programs -- forward Nemanja Calasan to Purdue and guard P.J. Hill to Ohio State.

The Rebels go into this season with only two post players: 6-10 junior Emmanuel Adeife and 6-8 sophomore Matt Shaw.

Beas Hamga, a 7-foot freshman, is on an NCAA-mandated redshirt year and is expected to be eligible to play next season.

Justin Hawkins, a 6-3 junior guard from Woodland Hills (Calif.) Taft High School, recently gave a verbal commitment to UNLV and is the first member of the 2009 recruiting class.

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