UNLV basketball adds guard from Texas-Rio Grande Valley

Winthrop guard Howard Fleming Jr. (5) shoots as Auburn center Dylan Cardwell defends during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game Tuesday, Nov. 15, 2022, in Auburn, Ala. Photo by: Butch Dill / Associated Press

Howard Fleming Jr., a 6-foot-5 guard from Texas-Rio Grande Valley, is transferring to the UNLV basketball program, he announced on social media.

Fleming, the fourth transfer portal addition by new Rebel coach Josh Pastner, averaged 12.3 points, 6.4 rebounds and 2.4 assists per game last season. He made 56% of his field goal attempts.

This will be the fourth program for Fleming, who has one season of eligibility remaining. He played two years at Illinois State, one at Winthrop and last season at Texas-Rio Grande Valley.

He has 65 career starts in 95 games played, averaging 12.5 points per game for his career.

Fleming joins post player Emmanuel Stephen (Arizona), and guards Dra Gibbs-Lawhorn (Illinois) and Al Green (Louisiana Tech) as UNLV newcomers. 

Pastner also successfully retained two high school commitments: local standout Mason Abittan from Coronado High and 6-foot-8 forward Tyrin Jones from Utah. The program announced that redshirt James Evans Jr. and reserve Jacob Bannarbie will also return next season.

We won’t know how the pieces will look and feel until the dust settles on the roster remake. There are currently nine players in the fold.

Fleming likely will have a big role. He made 42% of his 3-point attempts last season. At 215 pounds, he also has a big body to get into the lane.

Check out this game-winner for Texas-Rio Grande Valley: