Rebels’ Stanback charged with driving under the influence

Stanback was driving a 2010 Mercedes sedan when Las Vegas police stopped him for speeding at 2:10 a.m. Friday at Colby Avenue and Swenson Street, near the UNLV campus.

Police spokesman Jacinto Rivera said Stanback was arrested at 2:23 a.m. and booked into the Clark County Detention Center. Stanback, who also failed to provide proof of insurance, is scheduled to face the charges in Justice Court on Aug. 11.

Rebels coach Dave Rice said he spoke briefly with Stanback and is in the process of gathering more details.

“We do know that there was an incident, and right now we are just trying to determine exactly what transpired,” said Rice, adding it’s “too early” to speculate on possible disciplinary action.

Rivera said Stanback was arrested for “probable cause” driving under the influence, a misdemeanor, and he submitted a blood test. The results of the test will be known in approximately two weeks.

As a junior this past season, the 6-foot-8-inch forward started all 33 games and averaged 13.0 points and 5.9 rebounds. The Rebels finished 24-9 after losing to Illinois in the NCAA Tournament.

Stanback scored a season-high 25 points in a 68-65 victory over Wisconsin on Nov. 20.

A graduate of Fairfax High School in Los Angeles, Stanback has started 66 games in two seasons at UNLV after transferring from UCLA in 2008.

Rice, hired April 11 to replace former coach Lon Kruger, is facing an issue similar to what Kruger dealt with last year during a turbulent summer.

Matt Shaw’s career ended April 27, 2010, when it was announced he failed a random drug test at the NCAA Tournament and was issued a one-year suspension, erasing his senior year. Shaw and Stanback were high school teammates.

Senior guard Tre’Von Willis was arrested June 29 for allegedly choking a female friend, and he pleaded no contest to misdemeanor battery charges Sept. 28.

Kruger initially suspended Willis for three games, including two exhibitions, and later added a fourth game to the suspension.

Stanback has encountered few problems at UNLV. But Kruger did bench him for the first half of the two exhibition games last season for not fulfilling his summer academic responsibilities.

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