Rebels land Memphis shooting guard Willis

The 6-foot-4-inch shooting guard wrapped up his campus visit Thursday and informed Rebels coach Lon Kruger of his decision. Willis is transferring from Memphis, where he rarely played as a freshman.

“I felt comfortable with everything. It’s a perfect fit for me,” Willis said. “I felt like it was the right thing, and I had to do what’s best for me.”

Willis must sit out next season but he will be on scholarship. He has three years of eligibility remaining, beginning with the 2008-09 season.

UNLV has a scholarship available because 6-8 sophomore center Jerome Johnson will not be returning to the team. Doctors have determined Johnson, who had knee surgery and sat out last season, is not physically able to play.

Johnson, from Baltimore, appeared in 10 games as a freshman.

Willis played in only 17 games and averaged 2.6 points per game in his one season with the Tigers. He said he was unhappy with his playing time and wanted to return to the West Coast.

Willis scored 23.4 points per game as a senior at Washington Union High School in Fresno, and his 2,842 career points were the fifth most in California prep history. He was ranked by Rivals.com as the No. 37 shooting guard.

After high school, he chose Memphis over UNLV. This time, he picked the Rebels over Fresno State and San Diego State.

Willis is the first member of UNLV’s 2008-09 recruiting class. He is permitted to practice with the team next season.