Not Flash—Foundation: Meet Josh Pastner’s UNLV Staff
The portal is chaos. The roster is in flux.
But while the spotlight stays on who’s leaving, UNLV is quietly building something behind the scenes: a coaching staff with real teeth.
Josh Pastner didn’t hire hype men.
He hired basketball minds.
Guys who’ve developed pros. Built winners. And in one case, bled for this program.
So let’s break it down. No fluff—just facts on who’s really shaping the future of Rebel basketball.
Scott Garson – The Architect
If you’re looking for the guy who brings system, structure, and experience to the bench—it’s Garson.
• 27 years in college basketball
• 22 winning seasons
• 10 NCAA Tournaments
• 3 Final Fours at UCLA
• 16 NBA players developed, including Westbrook, Kevin Love, LaVine, Jrue Holiday, and Jalen Williams
He spent the last 7 years at Santa Clara, where he helped engineer a top-40 offense nationally, led the Broncos to three straight 20-win seasons, and guided multiple players to the NBA—including Brandin Podziemski (No. 19 pick in 2023) and Jalen Williams (No. 12 in 2022).
He’s coached under legends like Ben Howland, Rick Majerus, and Herb Sendek, and won national Coach of the Year honors at the NAIA level.
Garson isn’t just drawing up sets—he’s laying the blueprint for how this program functions. And if UNLV finds an offensive identity under Pastner, you can bet Garson’s fingerprints will be all over it.
Anthony Wilkins – The Culture Bridge
Wilkins is the connector—the guy who translates the game for players, builds trust, and develops pros.
He’s worked under Jerry Stackhouse at Vanderbilt, spent five seasons at Georgia Tech (including a 2021 ACC title and multiple player-of-the-year honors), and was promoted to associate head coach there in 2022-23. He helped turn Jose Alvarado into ACC Defensive Player of the Year and developed Moses Wright into ACC Player of the Year.
Before that, he recruited at Tulane and started at Kent State—his alma mater.
He’s coached in the SEC, ACC, AAC, and MAC, plus time in the NBA G League, and overseas as a player. He’s been around elite talent, and he knows how to reach guys.
Wilkins isn’t just Pastner’s guy—he’s the staff’s tone-setter. Someone players will trust, respect, and grow under.
Justin Hawkins – The Rebel Voice
This one hits different.
Justin Hawkins isn’t just a former player. He’s one of us.
Captain. Four-time NCAA Tournament participant. Top-10 in steals in program history. And now, after years grinding in the coaching world, he’s back home.
Hawkins spent the last two seasons at Nevada as Director of Player Development—where the Pack went 48-17, made back-to-back NCAA Tournaments, and developed All-Mountain West players like Nick Davidson and Tre Coleman.
Before that? Pacific. Liberty High School. Video coordinator. Operations. Freshman coach. He’s done it all—and earned every inch.
Hawkins brings a rare combo of basketball knowledge, recruiting ability, and deep emotional connection to the program.
He knows what the Thomas & Mack used to sound like.
He knows what it should feel like again.
And he’s here to help make it happen.
The Big Picture
This staff isn’t built for press releases.
It’s built to work.
• Garson brings system and elite development.
• Wilkins brings connection and player growth.
• Hawkins brings heart, identity, and legacy.
They’re not the headline-makers right now. But they just might be the difference-makers.
If UNLV’s going to build something real—not just a one-year run, but a sustained culture—this is the kind of staff that lays that foundation.
Not flash.
Foundation.