Impact of Khem Birch on UNLV

        Former high-school all-american Khem Birch started his career on the right foot at Pittsburgh and now, he will apparently end his career at UNLV after announcing his intentions to transfer to Dave Rice and the Rebels. Birch started 6 of his 10 games for the Panthers, averaging 4.4 points on 57.1 field-goal accuracy, 5.0 rebounds and 1.9 blocks per game.

        Eligible to play at the end of the Fall Semster 2012, Birch will be a game-changer for the Rebels next season. As an NBA prospect, the 6'9" Birch was raw offensively and needed to add weight to his slender frame, but defensively, he has the opportunity to become a dominant defender. He is an excellent athlete with long arms with explosive leaping abilities, capable of blocking shots and cleaning the glass. With his hustle and motor and a developing offensive game (improved ball-handling and a mid-range jump shot are our hopes), Birch could make his way back onto teams' draft boards next season. After all, pairing him up with combo-forward Mike Moser should create one of the best rebounding tandems and one of the most talented frontcourts next season.


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