UNLV Got Its Point Guard: Why Myles Che Is the Most Important Pickup of the Offseason
Josh Pastner has been patient. Purposeful. Strategic.
He’s rebuilt a roster around length, shooting, and fit.
But something was still missing — the most important position on the floor:
A point guard.
Not just a combo guard. Not just a shot-taker.
A true floor general. A system-stabilizer. A winner.
Now he has it.
Myles Che, the 6’2 sophomore from UC Irvine, has committed to UNLV.
And he changes everything.
What UNLV Is Getting
Let’s talk facts. Che is:
A day-one starter at the point
The most efficient guard UNLV has landed in years
A player who led UC Irvine to 24 wins and a Big West title
A proven shooter who went 43% from deep (54-of-126)
Someone who started all 38 games as a true freshman
This isn’t a “developmental” pickup. This is a plug-and-play upgrade.
He gives UNLV:
Ball security
Offensive rhythm
Perimeter gravity
Leadership
And maybe most importantly — he fits.
The Numbers That Matter
2024–25 (UC Irvine):
12.1 PPG
2.8 APG
2.4 RPG
43% 3PT (54/126)
48% FG
79% FT
1.1 SPG
Che’s efficiency jumps off the page.
He doesn’t need high usage to impact the game. He doesn’t force shots. He doesn’t get sped up.
He plays with poise, picks his spots, and runs an offense with composure.
That’s exactly what this team lacked.
The Fit in Pastner’s System
Josh Pastner’s teams aren’t built around isolation.
They’re built around structure — movement, pace, smart shot-making, and defensive pressure.
To thrive in that system, your point guard needs to:
Keep the ball moving
Make reads on the fly
Hit threes off the catch
Guard the point of attack
Lead the tempo and tone
Che checks every one of those boxes.
He’s not the high-usage slasher (that’s Dra Gibbs-Lawhorn).
He’s not the sniper (that’s Al Green).
He’s the organizer — the guy who makes everyone else better.
Why This Matters So Much
UNLV already had the pieces.
Defensive anchor (Stephen)
Stretch forwards (Dembele, Hamilton)
Dynamic slashers (Gibbs-Lawhorn, Evans)
Shotmakers (Green, Williamson)
But without a real point guard, it was all just potential.
Che is the connector.
He lets everyone slot into their natural roles:
Gibbs-Lawhorn can play off the ball and attack mismatches
Green can roam and spot up
Hamilton can play in rhythm
The offense can flow through movement, not improvisation
This move raises the floor and ceiling of the entire roster.
Who UNLV Beat to Get Him
Before committing to UNLV, Che was one of the most efficient guards in the portal — and other schools noticed.
College Sports Network listed his Top 5 landing spots as:
UNLV
San Diego State
Washington State
Boise State
Reno
That’s four Mountain West rivals — all who needed guard help.
UNLV won the battle. And it might end up being the swing decision in the conference race.
Final Word: This Isn’t Just a Guard. It’s the Quarterback.
Every team needs a centerpiece. Not always a star — but a stabilizer.
Myles Che is that guy.
He doesn’t need the spotlight. He just needs the keys.
And now he has them.
With Che running the show, UNLV has balance, structure, shooting, defense, and identity.
This roster is no longer just interesting — it’s dangerous.
Subscribe to The Scarlet Standard for full coverage of UNLV basketball’s rebuild, portal additions, and the road to the top of the Mountain West. Vegas has its point guard. Now let’s ride.
Your synopsis looks great. I still think Lawhorn can play the point especially when we get into matchups with SEC, Big 12, and Big teams because their centers are so tall, point guards in those leagues are starting to average 6’6 and more. Lawhorn will break it down with speed and all these young pups will run to the spot or the rim. It will be fun to see the change up when rotations are dependent on matchups. We will have the chance to dictate the 2d half and the last 5 minutes unlike so many teams that die when the D really tightens up.