Rebels’ Willis eager to test mended knee
A troubling offseason for UNLV senior Tre’Von Willis did bring something positive. He had knee surgery, and he could not be happier about it.
The 6-foot-4-inch guard said a sore left knee prevented him from playing basketball to his potential last season, when he was performing at “maybe 50 percent” in March.
Willis underwent arthroscopic surgery in early August. He said it was a minor procedure to repair cartilage.
“It did make a big difference,” he said. “I’m kind of excited, and that’s the reason I had the surgery. I’m excited to see how close I can get to 100 percent.
“I just want to play a healthy season one time and let the fans see me at 100 percent. I haven’t been healthy since I’ve been here.”
Willis has been an off-and-on participant since the Rebels opened practice Oct. 15. He worked out at full speed Thursday but had to sit out Friday’s practice.
“Sometimes the swelling will come, and sometimes it will be a little sore,” he said. “But it’s not too bad. I’m doing well with the swelling. Before the surgery it swelled up like a grapefruit.
“My knee feels pretty good for the most part. Right now, I’m just trying to get all the strength back into it.”
Willis recently became a father. His daughter, Tremiyah, was born in September.
But his offseason took a negative turn on June 29, when he was arrested for allegedly choking a female friend. He pleaded no contest to misdemeanor battery charges on Sept. 28.
UNLV coach Lon Kruger said Willis would be suspended for 10 percent of the season, a minimum of three games. Kruger said the suspension could be lengthened depending on Willis’ conduct.
“Again, that’s something that really won’t be known until right prior to the game. But he’s on track,” Kruger said.
Willis will sit the Rebels’ exhibition games against Grand Canyon on Tuesday and Washburn (Kan.) on Nov. 9. He also will miss the Nov. 12 regular-season opener against UC Riverside at the Thomas & Mack Center.
But Willis said he’s doing what’s required of him and is expecting to be cleared to play when UNLV hosts Southeastern Louisiana on Nov. 17. “I should be back,” he said.
Willis said right shoulder, back and ankle injuries from the past two seasons are no longer problems. When he is allowed to return, he said the knee should be ready.
“It’s got to be an issue because I’m not practicing. But at the same time, I’m just trying to get healthy and make sure I’m ready to go for the season,” he said. “I should be at least close to 100 percent.”
Willis, from Fresno, Calif., was the Rebels’ leading scorer last season at 17.2 points per game. He was voted first-team All-Mountain West Conference in March and was named to the preseason all-conference first team in October.
“At this time of year, you don’t want to strain anything with Tre coming off a surgery like that,” Kruger said. “It just takes time to recover.”
Contact reporter Matt Youmans at myoumans@reviewjournal.com or 702-387-2907.