The 5 Legends Of The 1990 UNLV Runnin' Rebels: Where Are The Unstoppable Champions Now?

Thirty-five years later, the 1990 UNLV Runnin' Rebels men's basketball team remains the benchmark for college basketball dominance, a legendary squad that embodied the "Showtime" spirit of Las Vegas. On a chilly spring night in Denver, Colorado, they didn't just win the NCAA National Championship; they obliterated the competition, handing the formidable Duke Blue Devils a record-shattering 103–73 defeat, a margin of victory that still stands as the most lopsided in tournament history.

As of this current date, December 15, 2025, the team's legacy is enjoying a fresh resurgence with the upcoming release of a major documentary, Kings of Vegas: The Untold Story of the Runnin' Rebels Historic Legacy. This renewed spotlight on Coach Jerry Tarkanian's iconic team—featuring the dynamic core of Larry Johnson, Stacey Augmon, Greg Anthony, and Anderson Hunt—is driving intense curiosity about the men who once ruled the court and what their lives look like today, decades after their historic, undefeated run.

UNLV's "Showtime" Roster: The Core Five Biography and Current Status

The 1989–90 Runnin' Rebels finished their NCAA Championship season with a staggering 35–5 overall record, dominating the Big West Conference. The team was built on a foundation of fast-paced offense, relentless full-court pressure, and a roster of future NBA stars. Here is a look at the five central figures and their current careers.

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• Jerry "Tark the Shark" Tarkanian (Head Coach)
  • Biography: The Hall of Fame coach led the Runnin' Rebels from 1973 to 1992, posting a phenomenal 509–105 (.829) record. He took four UNLV teams to the NCAA Final Four. Known for his towel-chewing, Tarkanian was a polarizing figure who championed his players, often clashing with the NCAA.
  • Current Status: Jerry Tarkanian passed away in 2015. His legacy is permanently honored at the Thomas & Mack Center, where his statue stands as a tribute to his revolutionary coaching career and his impact on the city of Las Vegas. The UNLV Alumni Association continues to promote the Jerry Tarkanian Legacy Project.
• Larry "LJ" Johnson (Power Forward)
  • Biography: The centerpiece of the team, Johnson was the 1991 Naismith College Player of the Year. He was selected No. 1 overall in the 1991 NBA Draft by the Charlotte Hornets, the only UNLV player ever to achieve that distinction. He had a successful 10-year NBA career, including a stint with the New York Knicks, and was famous for his "Grandmama" advertising campaign.
  • Current Status: Larry Johnson was inducted into the National Collegiate Basketball Hall of Fame, a monumental honor for a Runnin' Rebel. He currently works for the New York Knicks in a role within their basketball and business operations department, maintaining a strong connection to the sport.
• Stacey "Plastic Man" Augmon (Small Forward)
  • Biography: A defensive specialist with incredible athleticism, Augmon was the first three-time All-American in UNLV history. He was the ninth overall pick in the 1991 NBA Draft and enjoyed a long, 15-year career in the NBA, playing for teams like the Atlanta Hawks and Portland Trail Blazers.
  • Current Status: Augmon is a beloved figure who has returned to his alma mater. He is currently the Director of Community Engagement for the UNLV men's basketball staff, utilizing his iconic legacy to connect the program with the Las Vegas community and its alumni.
• Greg Anthony (Point Guard)
  • Biography: Known for his leadership, toughness, and vocal presence, Anthony was the team's floor general and defensive catalyst. He transferred to UNLV from the University of Portland and was a key part of the 1990 and 1991 Final Four teams. He was a first-round pick in the 1991 NBA Draft and played for 12 seasons.
  • Current Status: Anthony has transitioned into one of the most recognizable voices in basketball media. He is a prominent television analyst for NBA TV and Turner Sports, providing expert commentary and analysis for national broadcasts, and is also a sought-after keynote speaker.
• Anderson "The Motor" Hunt (Shooting Guard)
  • Biography: Hunt was the hero of the 1990 Championship, earning the Final Four Most Outstanding Player (MOP) award after scoring 29 points in the title game against Duke. He was a prolific scorer whose clutch performances defined the Rebels' tournament run. He left UNLV after the 1991 season and played professionally overseas in countries like France.
  • Current Status: After his professional career, Hunt's life has been less public than his former teammates. While his peers have found roles in coaching and broadcasting, Hunt’s story is often cited as a cautionary tale of unfulfilled NBA potential. He remains a celebrated figure in UNLV history, inducted into the UNLV Athletics Hall of Fame in 2022.

The Lopsided Legacy: Why the 1990 Championship Game Still Matters

The 1990 NCAA Men's Basketball Championship on March 2, 1990, was not merely a victory; it was a cultural statement. The game pitted the flashy, fast-break style of the UNLV Runnin' Rebels against the traditional, disciplined powerhouse of the Duke Blue Devils, coached by Mike Krzyzewski.

The Rebels' 103–73 demolition of Duke remains the only time a team has scored over 100 points in an NCAA men's championship game, and the 30-point margin of victory is an unprecedented record that has never been seriously threatened. This explosive performance was fueled by a stunning 18-0 run midway through the second half, turning a competitive game into an absolute rout.

This game is a pivotal moment in college sports history because it validated Coach Tarkanian’s controversial, yet wildly successful, approach to basketball. The victory cemented the Runnin' Rebels as a cultural phenomenon and a team that transcended the sport, earning them the title of "The Most Feared College Basketball Team Ever."

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Beyond the Banner: The Undefeated Streak and the 1991 Showdown

The dominance of the 1990 team set the stage for one of the greatest stories in sports history: the pursuit of a perfect season in 1990–91. The Rebels carried their momentum into the next year, stretching their winning streak to an incredible 45 consecutive games, the longest in college basketball at the time.

This pursuit of perfection created immense pressure and national media scrutiny. The streak was finally snapped in the 1991 NCAA Final Four—a rematch against the same Duke Blue Devils team they had humiliated the year before. In a stunning reversal, Duke defeated UNLV 79–77 in one of the most legendary upsets in tournament history.

While the 1991 loss denied them a second consecutive national title and a perfect season, it only amplified the legend of the 1990 team. The back-to-back Final Four appearances and the unparalleled 45-game winning streak underscore the dynasty that Jerry Tarkanian built in the desert. The team’s fast, flashy, and loud style of play—a true reflection of Las Vegas—left an indelible mark on the sport, proving that a non-traditional program could achieve the ultimate dominance. The recent renewed interest, fueled by the documentary, ensures that the story of the 1990 Runnin' Rebels will continue to captivate basketball fans for generations to come.

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