Khem Birch, a highly touted prospect who transferred to UNLV from Pittsburgh after playing only 10 games his freshman year, has been encouraging Anthony Bennett to sign with the Rebels.

“For sure, I’m considering UNLV. They are right here in my backyard,” said Bennett, who plays for Las Vegas Findlay Prep. “All those fans are always showing me how much they want me to come.”

Bennett and Birch are close friends from their playing days in Canada.

“He is a real cool guy. We are real close,” Bennett said of Birch. “Hopefully, everything works out and I get to play with him. If it doesn’t, we’ll still be cool. We’ll still be friends.”

Bennett is expected to make his decision in mid-April after he plays in the Jordan Brand Classic.

He is considering Florida, Kentucky, Oregon, UNLV and Washington.