July 14, 2003

LAS VEGAS - Louis Amundson, Jon Knoche and Omari Pearson, all members of the UNLV men's basketball team last season, have earned the Spring 2003 Academic All-Mountain West Conference award, the conference has announced.

To be eligible for selection to the academic team, a student-athlete must have completed at least one academic term at the member institution, maintain a cumulative grade point average of 3.0 or better and be a starter or significant contributor to the team.

Amundson, a 6-8 forward, has a 3.36 cumulative GPA and is majoring in English and pre-med. He used the 2002-03 season as a redshirt year and two seasons ago as a freshman (2001-02), he appeared in 30 games averaging 2.8 points and 2.3 rebounds in 10.5 minutes per game. He will be a sophomore during the upcoming basketball season.

Knoche, a 5-9 guard, completed his eligibility in 2002-03 and had a 3.24 GPA while majoring in secondary education. Last season, he appeared in 20 games.

Pearson, a 6-9 forward, transferred to Mansfield University during the summer. At UNLV he had a 3.29 GPA while majoring in multidisciplinary studies. In three seasons with the Runnin' Rebels he played in 76 games and averaged 3.3 ppg and 2.4 rpg.