Embattled Unlv Suspends Top Player For Ncaa Violation

UNLV suspended Kebu Stewart, its leading scorer and rebounder, for the remainder of the season Wednesday after he admitted receiving a free pair of shoes from an agent’s representative.

The university also declared guard Jermaine Smith ineligible for the same violation, but said it would appeal to the NCAA to immediately make him eligible again.

Stewart’s suspension came in the wake of an NCAA letter asking UNLV about players receiving free shoes last summer when Rollie Massimino was still coach of the team.

It was the latest blow to a program that has gone through four coaches this season, lost its last six games and is unsure whether coach Tim Grgurich will return.

UNLV athletic director Jim Weaver said Stewart’s punishment was tougher than Smith’s because Stewart had been involved in two previous incidents and told not to let it happen again. Stewart missed six games last season after being suspended for taking a free plane ticket from an agent’s representative.

Stewart missed several games earlier this season, apparently unhappy about his role on the team. He was averaging 17 points and 10 rebounds per game.

The incidents occurred while Massimino was still head of the Rebels program. Massimino was hired in 1992 to replace former coach Jerry Tarkanian, who built the Rebels into a basketball dynasty while conducting a continuing battle with the NCAA.

The Rebels are in the final year of a three-year probation for violations during the Tarkanian era.