UNLV Signs a New Shaquille O'Neal

The NBA will be watching a new recruit from UNLV very closely. Beas Hamga, originally a 2008 recruit for the Las Vegas school, will be graduating from Decatur Christian High School in Illinois a year early, according to the Las Vegas Review-Journal. All that is left is approval from the NCAA and Hamga will be a rebel.

The 7-foot tall high school junior/senior, who is a native of Cameroon, turns 19 this summer and is ranked in the top 50 prospects from high school. Hamga's 7 foot frame and 225 pound stature lead many to quickly compare him to NBA star Shaquille O'Neal. "You see a 7-footer and right away you have visions of great things, and that's a little bit unfair," said Lon Kruger, the head coach at UNLV in an interview for the LVRJ. "He's a young guy and he's going to need some time."

The comparisons between Hamga and Shaquille O'Neal don't just stop at size. During O'Neal's first year at Louisiana State University he averaged 13.9 points per game and 12 rebounds according to Jazzy J's College Basketball Statistics. These numbers are nearly identical to Hamga final year stats of 13 points per game and 12 rebounds. Despite the similarities UNLV's coach plans to take it slow with Hamga. "Beas is going to be a very good player, but to expect him to step in right away and totally rule everything is unfair. I think managing those expectations from the start is very important."

With the NBA rosters gaining more and more height all the time, when Hamga finally gets the chance to meet his counterpart in O'Neal he will be among many others of the same height. At that point he will have to use his talent to make a mark. According to Coach Kruger, Hamga is ready for the job. "I think the thing he'll do is get better and better. When you get a 7-footer like that who has good skills that can really happen. He's go a great attitude, and he wants to be a good player."

The NBA lives with its ear to the ground when talented players enter college. We will have to watch Hamga and see what kind of professional player he will mature into. If he follows O'Neal's footsteps we will be watching him on ESPN with an NBA jersey in less than 4 years.

Jazzy J's College Basketball Statistics Basketball Reference.com http://basketball-reference.com/players/o/onealsh01.html

Matt Youmans "7-footer's eligibility probable" Las Vegas Review Journal http://www.lvrj.com/sports/7549882.html