JAILEN BEDFORD TO JOIN UNLV MEN’S BASKETBALL PROGRAM
6-foot-4-inch transfer will become a Runnin’ Rebel after playing at Oral Roberts during the 2023-24 season
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The UNLV men’s basketball program has received a signed commitment from Jailen Bedford to join the Runnin’ Rebels for the 2024-25 season, head coach Kevin Kruger announced Friday.
Originally from Austin, Texas, the 6-foot-4-inch, 180-pound guard will transfer to UNLV from Oral Roberts, where he played as a junior in 2023-24.
“We are extremely excited for Jailen to be joining the Runnin’ Rebel family,” Kruger said. “He is a great fit for our program, being a dynamic scorer and a good rebounder for his size. We are looking forward to getting him here on campus and getting to work.”
Bedford, who will be a senior at UNLV this fall, started in all 31 of ORU’s games this past season and ranked second on his team in scoring at 14.6 points per game as well as rebounding with 6.4 per contest. He shot 43% from the field, including 38% on 3-pointers, while playing an average of 30 minutes per game.
Bedford scored in double figures in 26 contests last season, including a career-high 26 points at Texas Tech on Dec. 12. He made six 3-pointers in that game. His high in rebounds was 15 against St. Thomas.
Prior to Oral Roberts, Bedford attended Trinidad State where he averaged 16.6 ppg on 46% shooting from the field, including 44% on 3-pointers, and 4.3 rpg. He attended Hutto High School.
Bedford joins Jeremiah “Bear” Cherry, James Evans, Jaden Henley, Pape N’Diaye (pronounced: POP EN-jie) and Jace Whiting as incoming players to the Runnin’ Rebel program for the 2024-25 season.
2023-24 SEASON RECAP: The Runnin’ Rebels are coming off their best season in over a decade as they were invited to the postseason for the first time since 2013 and won their first postseason game for the first time in 16 years. In his third season at the helm, Kruger led the squad to 21 wins for the first time since the 2012-13 campaign and guided the team to a 12-4 record over its final 16 games.
UNLV recorded its first win over a top-10 team in four years, its first in non-conference play in nine seasons and beat a total of four ranked teams in a single season for the first time in 11 years. Mountain West Co-Freshman of the Year Dedan Thomas Jr. set the Mountain West’s assists record with 174, also leading the nation in assists among freshmen.
2024-25 SEASON TICKETS: The season ticket renewal process is underway with the renewal deadline set for July 1. New season tickets are also on sale now, starting at just $115. To buy or for more information call (702) 739-FANS (3267) or visit UNLVtickets.com.