Former Kansas forward Quintrell Thomas has decided to transfer to UNLV.
The 6-8, 250-pound Thomas also considered Siena, St. Joe’s and St. Bonaventure, but went with the Rebels because of his comfort factor with their staff and the appeal of the school and environment.
UNLV was near the top of his list the first time around and this time head coach Lon Kruger and assistant Lew Hill showed immediate interest.
“As soon as I transferred, I heard that they were interested. They were [also] recruiting me the first time around,” Thomas said Friday night by phone. “My mother felt a lot more comfortable with the situation. It was the biggest of all the schools recruiting me and I like the bigger school setting.
“The location of the school is in an entertainment capital, and if you win there publicity won’t be hard to find.”
Thomas will have to sit out a year, but expects to have a major role after that.
“Basically, I’ll have an expanded role,” he said. “Of course it depends on what I do. Basically they’re bringing me in to be an impact player.”
Thomas spent one year at Kansas in which he averaged 1.5 points and 2.0 rebounds, but said he didn’t regret his decision to go there.
“I don’t regret it because you learn lessons,” he said. “I went there and I would’ve played but the situation was difficult. It was just so many other people at my position.”
Next year he would be playing behind returning big man Cole Aldrich, fellow sophomores Markieff and Marcus Morris, transfer Jeff Withey and probably incoming freshman Thomas Robinson as well.
“It’s just too many people at the same position,” he said.
Kansas is projected by many as the Preseason No. 1 team in the land, and Thomas doesn’t disagree.
“They’re going to be really good,” he said.
