Kevin Kruger (born May 1, 1983) is a former American professional basketball player, currently the head coach at UNLV.[1]
UNLV Runnin' Rebels | |
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Position | Head coach |
League | Mountain West Conference |
Personal information | |
Born | (1983-05-01) May 1, 1983 (age 39) McAllen, Texas |
Nationality | American |
Listed height | 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) |
Listed weight | 185 lb (84 kg) |
Career information | |
High school | Walton (Marietta, Georgia) |
College |
|
NBA draft | 2007 / Undrafted |
Playing career | 2007–2013 |
Position | Point guard |
Coaching career | 2016–present |
Career history | |
As player: | |
2007–2008 | Utah Flash |
2008 | Lukoil Academic |
2009 | Utah Flash |
2009 | NSB Napoli |
2010 | Utah Flash |
2010 | Soles de Mexicali |
2010–2011 | Utah Flash |
2011–2012 | Okapi Aalstar |
2012–2013 | Los Angeles D-Fenders |
2013 | Eisbären Bremerhaven |
As coach: | |
2014–2016 | Northern Arizona (asst.) |
2016–2019 | Oklahoma (asst.) |
2019–2021 | UNLV (asst.) |
2021–present | UNLV |
The son of basketball coach Lon Kruger, he attended Arizona State University, but after playing 3 years and graduating because he was redshirted his freshman year, he transferred to UNLV to play for his dad.[2] During his one year there he helped UNLV advance to the Sweet Sixteen,[3] only to lose to Oregon.[4]
After his collegiate career, Kruger was not drafted, later receiving an invite to the Orlando Magic's training camp.[5][6] Before the season began, he was cut and drafted by the Flash, the Utah Jazz's D-League team.[7] He had a career high 35 points against the Reno Bighorns on March 1, 2009.[citation needed]
In the 2011-2012 season in the Ethias League, Kruger played for Okapi Aalstar. They won the Belgian Cup against the Antwerp Giants, 96-89 in overtime, a game during which Kevin scored 31 points.
Kruger initially attended Centennial High School in Champaign, Illinois, where he was a member of the basketball team. At the conclusion of his sophomore season, he moved to Marietta, GA. He then attended Walton High School in Marietta, Georgia.[8]
Kruger began his coaching career at Northern Arizona as an assistant for two seasons before joining his father's staff at Oklahoma.[9][10] In 2019, he returned to UNLV as an assistant coach under T. J. Otzelberger. When Otzelberger departed for the Iowa State head coaching position, Kruger was promoted to head coach of the Runnin' Rebels.[11][12]
Season | Team | Overall | Conference | Standing | Postseason | ||||
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UNLV Runnin' Rebels (Mountain West) (2021–present) | |||||||||
2021–22 | UNLV | 18–14 | 10–8 | 5th | |||||
UNLV: | 18–14 (.563) | 10–8 (.556) | |||||||
Total: | 18–14 (.563) | ||||||||
National champion
Postseason invitational champion
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Men's basketball head coaches of the Mountain West Conference | |
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UNLV Runnin' Rebels head basketball coaches | |
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# denotes interim head coach |