Josh Pastner needed length.
He needed scoring.
He needed a wing who could slide between positions and do a little bit of everything.
He got all of that in Kimani Hamilton.
The 6’7” transfer from High Point isn’t just another portal pickup — he’s the kind of piece that unlocks lineup flexibility, offensive versatility, and positional depth UNLV hasn’t had on the wing in years.
Let’s break down the profile, the numbers, and why Hamilton might be one of the most important additions of the entire 2025–26 cycle.
The Journey: From 4-Star to Late Bloomer
Kimani Hamilton was a Top-100 recruit out of Clinton, Mississippi. A four-star prospect with a 7-foot wingspan, he had high-major offers from across the country and eventually signed with Mississippi State.
But his freshman year in the SEC never materialized — limited minutes, crowded wing depth, and no real developmental runway.
He hit the portal in 2023, landing at High Point — and that’s where he proved exactly why his pedigree mattered.
High Point (2023–25)
2024–25 stats: • 13.1 PPG • 4.6 RPG • 2.2 APG • 1.0 SPG • 52% FG
Back-to-back All-Big South First Team honors
Led High Point to a conference title and NCAA Tournament berth
Hamilton didn’t just revive his career — he elevated it. He became a go-to scorer, secondary ball-handler, and clutch shot-maker. Now he steps back into high-major play with momentum and maturity.
The Skill Set: Smooth, Long, and Smart
What jumps out most on film? Fluidity. Hamilton glides in transition, reads defenses well, and scores without over-dribbling. He’s not flashy — but he’s efficient, confident, and unselfish.
Offensive Strengths:
Midrange touch & turnaround jumper
Smart cuts and baseline reads
Operates in pick-and-pop or short-roll scenarios
Capable secondary ball-handler
Shoots over smaller defenders with ease
Defensive Upside:
Can guard 2–4
Disrupts passing lanes with length
Rotates well as a help-side defender
Doesn’t foul — stays vertical and disciplined
He’s not a volume shooter from deep, but he’s capable. He shot 35%+ from three in stretches and is confident from the corners — which is exactly where Pastner’s offense thrives on spacing.
The Fit at UNLV: The Connector
Hamilton is a quintessential “connector piece.” He doesn’t need the ball, but he helps everyone who has it. He’ll fit alongside scoring guards like Dra Gibbs-Lawhorn, provide wing depth behind Naas Cunningham, and slot into 3–4 combinations with Dembele, Evans, and Tyrin Jones.
Expect him to start, play 28–32 minutes a night, and be used in:
Princeton-style elbow sets as a passer
Wing isolations vs mismatches
Corner spot-ups and 1-dribble pull-ups
Defensive switches on the perimeter
Pastner loves wings who can guard, rebound, and pass. Hamilton checks all three — and adds scoring on top of it.
Final Word: A High-Major Talent Who Found His Confidence — and a Program That Needs It
This is exactly the kind of bet you make in the portal era:
High-upside recruit
With game reps under his belt
Hungry to prove it on the big stage again
Ready to win
Hamilton doesn’t have to be UNLV’s star — but he could be the glue that holds the Rebels together.
If he brings the same poise, toughness, and production he showed at High Point, this won’t just be a good addition.
It’ll be one of the most impactful transfers in the Mountain West.
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The rebuild is real. And players like Kimani Hamilton make it possible.