Checking in at #18 is the first official Mountain West newcomer in the MWC Wire Basketball Countdown.

Shakur Juiston, a JUCO transfer by the way of Hutchinson Community College, will provide an immediate boost to the UNLV Runnin' Rebels, who are just months removed from their worst season in program history. Head coach Marvin Menzies didn't mess around this spring, though, hauling in one of the best recruiting classes in recent UNLV memory.

Juiston was named the MVP of the NJCAA Tournament and also the National Junior College Player of the Year. Juiston averaged 17.3 points, 12.1 rebounds and 4.9 assists per game last season with Hutchinson. He also shot 60.9% from the floor and led all of NJCAA basketball in defensive and total rebounds. He's athletic, savvy, and has a knack for the basketball.

It would not be a surprise if Juiston finds his away atop the conference rebounding leaderboard for the 2017-18 season. He expects to be a double-double machine, and may end up with some all-conference hardware by the time his UNLV career is wrapped up.