Kansas JC Standout to Play Basketball for Antelope Valley

J. R Rider, a forward from Allen County (Kan.) Community College, has committed to play basketball with Antelope Valley College this winter, according to a press release.

The sophomore-to-be committed to Nevada-Las Vegas but balked when the NCAA Division I champion was placed on probation. Rider was the third player to reverse his field because of the NCAA’s punitive action.

Ed O’Bannon, a forward from Artesia High, and Shon Tarver, an off-guard from Santa Clara High in Oxnard, originally signed with the Rebels but will attend UCLA in the fall.

Rider attended summer school at Antelope Valley and decided to play for the Marauders in the 1990-91 season after UNLV was ruled ineligible for post-season play. But despite UNLV’s probation, Rider is eager to be a Rebel.

“Coach (Jerry) Tarkanian said they will be off probation next year and he hopes to see me then,” Rider said. “I told him to count on it.”

Rider signed a letter of intent with Kansas State after graduating from Encinal High in Alameda, Calif., but ended up at Allen County because of NCAA Proposition 48 requirements.