UNLV Guard Dra Gibbs-Lawhorn Shines in Overtime Win

Runnin' Rebels player credits coach's trust for his breakout season

Published on Feb. 17, 2026

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UNLV guard Dra Gibbs-Lawhorn had a standout 36-point performance in the Runnin' Rebels' overtime win against Boise State, earning him another Mountain West Player of the Week award. Gibbs-Lawhorn and head coach Josh Pastner spoke about the player's breakout season and the team's gritty comeback victory.

Why it matters

Gibbs-Lawhorn's success this season has been a bright spot for the UNLV basketball program, which has struggled in recent years. His comments about the trust and belief from his coach highlight the importance of player-coach relationships in developing young talent.

The details

In the overtime win against Boise State, Gibbs-Lawhorn scored a game-high 36 points, helping UNLV overcome a 23-point deficit. The junior guard credited his coach's unwavering trust and belief in him as a key factor in his breakout campaign, saying 'it's hard for me not to be successful' with that kind of support.

  • UNLV defeated Boise State in overtime on February 15, 2026.

The players

Dra Gibbs-Lawhorn

A junior guard for the UNLV Runnin' Rebels men's basketball team who is having a standout season, including a 36-point performance in an overtime win against Boise State.

Josh Pastner

The head coach of the UNLV Runnin' Rebels men's basketball team, who has shown unwavering trust and belief in Gibbs-Lawhorn's abilities, helping the player develop into a star this season.

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What they’re saying

“When you have a coach that fully believes in a player and fully trusts a player and lets them just play without worrying about anything, it's hard for me not to be successful.”

— Dra Gibbs-Lawhorn, UNLV Runnin' Rebels Junior Guard

“I put full belief in him because I know how good he can be. And I told him that when I first met him. … I just had a sense, I knew he had an edge and a chip on his shoulder, something to prove.”

— Josh Pastner, UNLV Runnin' Rebels Head Coach

“He didn't have a fight about him to start the first half. I said, 'I'm not putting your butt back in until you're ready to go.' He says, 'Coach, I'm ready.' And I put him right back in. And he took off from there.”

— Josh Pastner, UNLV Runnin' Rebels Head Coach

What’s next

Gibbs-Lawhorn and the Runnin' Rebels will look to build on this momentum as they continue their push for a Mountain West Conference championship and a spot in the NCAA Tournament.

The takeaway

Gibbs-Lawhorn's breakout season highlights the importance of player-coach relationships in developing young talent. His success also provides hope for the UNLV basketball program, which has struggled in recent years, and shows that with the right support and trust, players can reach their full potential.