The Foundation is Set: Inside Josh Pastner’s First Seven at UNLV

The Foundation is Set: Inside Josh Pastner’s First Seven at UNLV

When Josh Pastner arrived in Las Vegas, he didn’t inherit a program in need of a quick fix. He inherited a program in search of an identity.

Just a few weeks into his tenure, the early returns aren’t about flash or hype—they’re about substance.

Seven players are currently locked in for the 2025–26 UNLV basketball roster. It’s not a complete group. It’s not supposed to be. But what’s already in place tells us everything about how Pastner is building.

This is a blueprint. And it’s intentional.

In today’s college basketball landscape, keeping talent is just as important as acquiring it. Pastner’s first major wins came not through the portal, but in the locker room—with players who chose to stay and build.

6’7 guard | Recommitted after entering the portalEvans didn’t play in 2024–25 due to eligibility issues, but his upside remains intact. A long, athletic perimeter defender with scoring tools, Evans gives UNLV the type of positional versatility Pastner’s defensive systems demand. His recommitment signals trust—and belief in the new direction.

6’8 forward | 4-star recruitA top-150 prospect who could’ve reopened his recruitment. Instead, he stayed. Jones brings length, mobility, and an ideal frame for a modern stretch forward. He defends, rebounds, and runs. The type of piece programs typically have to chase—UNLV already has him.

6’6 guard | 4-star recruitOne of the best prep scorers in Nevada, Abittan briefly reopened his recruitment after Kruger’s departure but quickly recommitted to the Rebels. He’s a skilled shooter with a strong feel for the game and a competitive edge. More than just a hometown name—he’s a program piece.

6’9 forward | ReturningA raw but mobile forward who played limited minutes last year. Bannarbie returns as a depth piece who could carve out a role in a rotation built on effort and defensive flexibility.

UNLV has added three transfers so far. None were national headlines. But all three make perfect basketball sense.

6’1 guard | Former 4-starAn explosive athlete with Big Ten experience and Montverde Academy polish. Gibbs-Lawhorn brings energy, tempo, and upside to the backcourt. He plays with pace and pressure—traits that thrive in Pastner’s up-tempo guard-centric offenses.

7’0 center | Former 4-starA shot-blocking, rim-running big who fits the blueprint of every successful Pastner team. Stephen brings size, verticality, and defensive presence to the frontcourt. He’s the type of anchor that makes Pastner’s system click.

6’3 guard | 10.2 PPG | 42% 3PTAn under-the-radar addition with real value. Green is a veteran shooter who spaces the floor, makes smart decisions, and doesn’t need the ball to be effective. A glue guy. A connector. And exactly the kind of guard that makes the stars better.

There’s a theme to what Pastner’s doing:

This isn’t about stacking stars or overrecruiting the depth chart.It’s about building a roster that can compete, grow, and win within a system.

UNLV isn’t throwing darts in the portal.They’re building piece by piece—with purpose.

This is not a finished product. With seven players committed, expect 5–6 more additions in the coming weeks. Pastner has work to do, especially in the frontcourt.

What’s still needed:

But if these first seven moves are any indication, the additions won’t be random—they’ll be strategic, system-driven, and foundational.

Josh Pastner didn’t take over to keep the program afloat.He came to restore identity, build infrastructure, and win.

Seven players in, the message is already clear:This team won’t just be talented. It’s going to make sense.

And that’s how you win in March.