Community · Valley-wide
UNLV will retire Desi-Rae Young's No. 23 jersey Nov. 6, the first Lady Rebels jersey retirement in 23 years
The Las Vegas native and two-time Mountain West Player of the Year will be honored when the Lady Rebels open their home schedule against UTSA. She is only the fourth player in program history to receive the honor.
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What happened
UNLV announced Monday morning that it will retire the No. 23 jersey of former women's basketball standout Desi-Rae Young, the Las Vegas Sun reported. The ceremony is set for Nov. 6, when the Lady Rebels open their home schedule against UTSA.
According to the university, Young is the fourth player in program history to have her jersey retired and the first in 23 years. UNLV said the number will stay available for future players to wear.
A hometown player in the record books
Young grew up in Las Vegas and played at Desert Oasis High before choosing UNLV, the Sun reported. Over four seasons, she helped the Lady Rebels win three straight Mountain West regular-season titles and three straight conference tournament titles, along with three consecutive trips to the NCAA Tournament.
Scoring and rebounding marks
She is one of two players in program history to reach both 2,000 career points and 1,000 career rebounds. The Sun reported that she ranks second all-time at UNLV in scoring with 2,017 points, in field goals made with 799 and in field-goal percentage at .562. She is third in free-throw attempts with 606 and fourth in both free throws made with 408 and rebounds with 1,081.
Conference and national honors
Young was a two-time Mountain West Player of the Year and a four-time All-Mountain West pick. She also made the conference all-defensive team three times and the all-tournament team twice. She was named Mountain West Freshman of the Year in 2021, MVP of the 2023 conference tournament and conference Player of the Week 11 times, and she became the program's seventh All-America honorable mention and its first in 20 years.
A record-setting senior season
In 2023-24, her senior year, Young led the team with a career-high 18.2 points per game. The Sun reported she was one of four Division I players that season to average at least 17 points, 9 rebounds, 2 assists and a steal. In the first round of the 2024 NCAA Tournament, she scored 30 points on 15-of-19 shooting, both UNLV records for an NCAA Tournament game.
What Young and UNLV leaders said
In a statement shared by the university, Young said, "I am forever grateful to UNLV and to the Lady Rebels." She added that she was glad to have been part of turning the program around.
Coach Lindy La Rocque, who began her coaching career with Young on the roster, said in a statement that "Desi put this program back on the map by dominating the Mountain West Conference and taking us to three straight NCAA tournaments." Athletic director Erick Harper said, "Desi-Rae Young represents everything we want our student-athletes to aspire to be," and noted that she chose to represent her hometown university.
Her career since leaving UNLV
Young has played professionally with Athletes Unlimited and overseas in Israel and Rwanda, the Sun reported. She helped Hapoel Rishon Lezion win a championship in 2025-26.
With that club, she is averaging 17.3 points, 8.7 rebounds and 2.7 assists, according to the Sun. For more stories about people and events around the valley, visit our community section.
What to watch next
- The jersey retirement ceremony on Nov. 6, when the Lady Rebels host UTSA in their home opener.
- The No. 23 will remain available to future Lady Rebels players, according to UNLV.
- Young's ongoing season with Hapoel Rishon Lezion, where the Sun reported she is averaging 17.3 points per game.
