Larry Johnson of top-ranked and unbeaten Nevada-Las Vegas was named the Big West Conference player of the year for the second straight season, leading a list of four Runnin' Rebels chosen to the all-conference first team.
Johnson, a senior forward from Dallas, averaged 23.4 points and 11.3 rebounds per game this season, both highs in the Big West.Byron Ruffner, a forward for Utah State, was voted the Big West freshman of the year. He averaged 8.6 points and 4.4 rebounds.
UNLV coach Jerry Tarkanian, whose Rebels were undefeated in 27 games this season and have won 38 straight extending back to the 1989-90 season, was selected the Big West coach of the year.
Las Vegas teammates joining Johnson on the conference first team were senior forward Stacey Augmon, senior guard Greg Anthony and junior guard Anderson Hunt.
Rounding out the first team were two New Mexico State players, senior guard Randy Brown and senior forward Reggie Jordan.
The only UNLV starter not on the first team, senior center George Ackles, was voted onto the second team.