Tuesday, April 27, 2010

SG Matt Carlino commits

Photo scout.com
UCLA basketball: Matt Carlino commits to UCLA
By Chris Foster
The LA Times
April 27, 2010 | 3:41 pm

Matt Carlino, a 6-foot-2 shooting guard from Bloomington (Ind.) South High, said he has committed to play at UCLA.

Carlino, who is a junior at South, will graduate a year early and enroll at UCLA. He visited the campus last week and said, “It’s probably the best campus around. I love the coaches and the guys on the team.”

Carlino said that Bruins Coach Ben Howland talked to him about leaving high school a year earlier. Carlino was held back in second grade after coming down with mononucleosis. He has the necessary credits to graduate and will enroll at UCLA in June.

“Coach Howland brought it up and I thought about,” Carlino said. “UCLA has a lot of good players coming back and some good players coming in. This was an opportunity I had to take.”

Carlino, who averaged 13 points and five assists last season, was also being recruited by Butler, California, Nevada Las Vegas and Florida. He previously committed to Indiana, but changed his mind in March.
_________

Quick chat with Matt Carlino
By Jon Gold
LA Daily News
April 27, 2010 3:08 PM

JG: What led to the decision to switch from Indiana to UCLA?
Matt Carlino: "What led to my decision was going down there this past weekend - I already liked UCLA from when I was recruited before Indiana - and I checked out the campus, hung out with some of the guys, and just really love it there. I love the coaches - Coach Howland is a great coach - and I just thought it was a good situation. Here are a lot of good players coming in, a lot of good young players there. It was a good fit for me as a point guard, and how many guys Coach Howland has done a great job."

JG: Word is you're graduating early and enrolling in June?

MC: "I'll be leaving early, reclassifying 2010. I'm really looking forward to being on a good young team next year. Coach Howland was the one who initially brought it up to graduate early, and once he said that, I thought it was a really interesting idea. I felt like I could help. So did he. I thought it was a great opportunity, and I wasn't going to pass up that opportunity."

JG: How did your parents (Carlino's father is a basketball coach) react to your desire to leave early?
MC: "It's great for my family - I'll be a lot closer to them on the West coast again. I'm basically, I had mono in second grade and held to get held back for health issues. I should be in that class anyways. It's not a huge jump. I've been playing up my whole life anyways. I just felt like I was ready."

JG: I'm sure you saw UCLA's play last season; did the opportunity to help rebuild such a program factor in your decision?
"I feel like that is part of it. There's a great group of guys there. Yeah, it was an off year, but they were young and still are. We have a great opportunity next season."

JG: How important will playing time be to you next season?
"Whatever coach Howland feels is going to help him win, he'll do. I'm concerned on doing whatever coach asks me when I get there. Everything will work out how it works out. We have a lot of good players coming in and a lot currently there. He has the tools and he knows what to do with them."

Saturday, April 24, 2010

Deonte Burton to Nevada

Sorry, old but still significant news just the same for Bruin basketball.

NV hoops land recruit who had offer from UCLA
AP, SF Chronicle
Thursday, April 22, 2010
09:29 PDT Reno, Nev. (AP) --

Nevada's basketball team got some good news on the recruiting trail a day after star sophomore forward Luke Babbitt announced he's following junior guard Armon Johnson off the campus and into the NBA draft.

Deonte Burton, a highly-regarded 6-foot-1 guard from Compton, Calif., signed a national letter of intent Wednesday to play for Nevada next year. He also had offers from UCLA and Cincinnati, among others.

Burton was named the CIF Southern California Division III player of the year this past season.

He averaged 21 points, six rebounds and five assists mostly at the shooting guard position, but could end up playing the point at Nevada.

Wolf Pack coach David Carter says Burton is a very talented guard who should have an immediate impact at Nevada.
________

Carter adds Burton to Pack’s lineup
By: Juan López
The Nevada Sagebrush
Thursday, April 22, 2010 - 11:44 AM


Nevada basketball head coach David Carter announced Tuesday he signed guard Deonte Burton to a national letter of intent. File photo/The Nevada Sagebrush
On Tuesday afternoon, Nevada men’s basketball head coach seemed calm and cool despite losing his second star in just as many weeks to the NBA Draft.

Carter was confident that the young group of returning players he has would be able to pick up where Armon Johnson and Luke Babbitt left off. He repeated one phrase frequently throughout his question-answer session with the media: “The sun’s going to set tomorrow.”

Carter’s obvious optimism was clearly understood when he announced later that day he signed stellar guard Deonte Burton to a national letter of intent.

Burton, a 6-foot-1, 185-pound guard from Compton Centennial High School, won the John R. Wooden High School Player of the Year Award this season. He averaged 21 points, six rebounds and five assists this year for his high school squad.

“Deonte Burton is a very talented guard who has the ability to play at a high level,” Carter said. “We are thrilled to have Deonte join our program. He will be very exciting to watch for the next four years.”

Burton also considered going to Pac-10 schools University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) and the University of Southern California (USC), and Big East schools Marquette and Cincinnati. He was ranked the 43rd-best shooting guard in the nation this year by ESPN.

With Burton added to the lineup, Carter has one more scholarship to work with this season. He said he would like to go after a combo forward (one who can play both small forward and power forward).

Thursday, April 15, 2010

UCLA Men's Basketball Announces 2010 Honors at Annual Banquet

UCLA Men's Basketball Announces 2010 Honors at Annual Banquet
from the Official UCLA Men's Basketball website
April 12, 2010


LOS ANGELES - UCLA senior guard Michael Roll was given the Coach John Wooden Award as the Bruins' Most Valuable Player Monday night at the 2010 UCLA Men's Basketball Awards Banquet held at the Hyatt Century Plaza.

Roll, a first team All-Pac-10 selection, led the Bruins in scoring at 14.1 points per game, ranking 11th in the league. Additionally, he earned the UCLA Alumni Association Award (team assist leader), averaging 3.6 assists per game (115), which ranked 6th in the Pac-10 Conference. He also ranked 3rd in three-point field goals made per game (2.5), 4th in three-point field goal percentage (.426, 80-for-188) and 2nd in assist to turnover ratio (1.9).

Senior forward Nikola Dragovic was awarded the Bob "Ace" Calkins Memorial Award (free throw champion) by shooting 77.8 percent (84-for-108) from the charity stripe. He shot 81.3 percent in Pac-10 play, which ranked 10th in the league.


Junior guard Mustafa Abdul-Hamid was given the Elvin C. "Ducky" Drake Memorial Award for Competitive Spirit, Inspiration and Unselfish Contributions. Abdul-Hamid, a first team Pac-10 All-Academic selection, was given the UCLA Faculty Athletic Representative Award (Academic Achievement and Team Contribution) for the second straight year. He posted a 3.81 grade point average in Global Studies and will graduate this spring.


Sophomore guard Malcolm Lee was also a two-time award winner, receiving the Bruin Hoopsters J.D. Morgan Memorial Award (Outstanding Team Play). He also garnered the Irv Pohlmeyer Memorial Award (Outstanding Defensive Player).


Freshman guard Tyler Honeycutt was a three-time award winner on the night. He took home the Gerald A. Finerman Award (team rebounding leader), averaging 6.5 rebounds per game, which was 9th in the Pac-10 Conference. It also was the third time in the last five years that a freshman led the Bruins in rebounding (Kevin Love in 2007-08 and Luc Richard Mbah a Moute in 2005-06). He also won the Bruin Bench Basketball Award for Most Improvement in All-Around Play and Mental Attitude.


Honeycutt shared his last honor with fellow freshman Reeves Nelson. Both were named as co-winners of the Seymour Armond Memorial Award (Most Valuable Freshman). Honeycutt was fifth on the team in scoring at 7.2 points per game. In addition to his rebounding, he led the Bruins in blocked shots (1.2 bpg) which ranked 7th in the Pac-10. His 2.0 offensive rebounds per game ranked 10th in the league while his 4.5 defensive rebounds per game ranked 7th in the Pac-10. Nelson was 4th on the team in scoring at 11.1 points per game and second on the squad in rebounding at 5.7 rebounds per game, which ranked 11th in the Pac-10. He also ranked 2nd in the Pac-10 in field goal percentage, shooting an outstanding 64.7 percent (119-for-184) from the floor.


2010 UCLA Men's Basketball Awards Banquet Honors
Bob "Ace" Calkins Memorial Award/Free Throw Champion: Nikola Dragovic
Elvin C. "Ducky" Drake Memorial Award/Competitive Spirit, Inspiration and Unselfish Contributions: Mustafa Abdul-Hamid
Bruin Hoopsters J.D. Morgan Memorial Award/Outstanding Team Play: Malcolm Lee
UCLA Faculty Athletic Representative Award/Academic Achievement and Team Contribution: Mustafa Abdul-Hamid
Seymour Armond Memorial Award/Most Valuable Freshman: Tyler Honeycutt and Reeves Nelson
Bruin Bench Basketball Award/Most Improvement in All-Around Play and Mental Attitude: Tyler Honeycutt
Irv Pohlmeyer Memorial Award/Outstanding Defensive Player: Malcolm Lee
UCLA Alumni Association Award/Team Assist Leader: Michael Roll
Gerald A. Finerman Award/Team Rebounding Leader: Tyler Honeycutt
Coach John Wooden Award/Most Valuable Player: Michael Roll

UCLA Signs Lazeric Jones to a National Letter of Intent


UCLA Signs Lazeric Jones to a National Letter of Intent

Jones will be a junior after transferring from John A. Logan College in Carterville, Ill.

from the Official UCLA Men's Basketball website
April 15, 2010


LOS ANGELES - UCLA head coach Ben Howland announced today the signing of Lazeric Jones to a National Letter of Intent to attend UCLA in the fall of 2010.

Jones, a 6-foot-2-inch, 195-pound guard out of Chicago, Ill., (Simeon High School), will be a junior next season after transferring from John A. Logan College in Carterville, Ill., where he played for head coach Mark Imhoff.

Jones joins the early signing class, which consisted of Tyler Lamb, a 6-foot-4-inch, 195-pound guard out of Santa Ana, Calif., and Mater Dei High School and Josh Smith, a 6-foot-10-inch, 280-pound center from Kent, Wash., and Kentwood High School.

"I'm really excited about Lazeric Jones joining our basketball program and family," Howland said. "Lazeric is an outstanding point guard and is a good defender on the ball. He is a good playmaker and is adept at penetrating defenses and can also shoot the ball. The great thing about him is that he is a great kid that works very hard and loves to play the game. I think he will be an outstanding addition to our team."

Jones averaged 14.5 points, 4.9 rebounds and led his team in assists (5.7 apg), steals (3.5 spg) and free-throw percentage (77.0%) as a sophomore in 2009-10. He helped lead the Volunteers to a 24-7 overall record and a Great Rivers Athletic Conference title with a 14-2 mark.

Jones is excited about his new career opportunity. He said the rigors and physicality of high-level Division I basketball will force him to perform better.

"I feel I can come in and play at the next level," Jones said. "I'm going to give it all I've got."
__________

John A. Logan College players Lazeric Jones (left) and Jesse Perry signed letters of intent Wednesday to play basketball next fall on scholarship at UCLA and the University of Arizona. Seated with the dynamic duo is Vols head coach Mark Imhoff. Standing is Logan assistant coach Kyle Smithpeters.

Perry, Jones Make it Official – Sign with Arizona, UCLA
John A. Logan College News
Posted: April 14th, 2010 under Athletics, General, Men's Basketball.


John A. Logan College men’s basketball coach Mark Imhoff has never seen the likes of it before. He has coached some talented players in his 25 years with the Volunteers, but never coached two kids on the same team who were good enough to be recruited by some of the nation’s elite universities.

On Wednesday, sophomores Jesse Perry and Lazeric Jones made it official. Perry signed a letter of intent to play ball next fall for the University of Arizona, while Jones signed to play on scholarship with UCLA. Both are members of the strong Pac-10 Conference out west.

Perry is a 6-foot-8 power forward who can also shoot the three. He led the Vols in scoring this past season at 17 points per game and rebounds with 10 per game.

Jones, a 6-foot-2 point guard, averaged 14.5 points per game and was also tops in assists and steals.

“They will both be fine additions to the Arizona and UCLA basketball programs,” Imhoff said. “Jesse and Zeek (Jones) did everything we asked of them here and have worked extremely hard to make themselves better players. I expect both to be successful at the next level.”

Perry said he is glad to get the recruiting process out of the way and concentrate 100 percent of his efforts on preparing for his next hurdle – Division I basketball at Arizona.

“I feel like all the hard work I put in has really paid off,” he said. “I’m ready to go to Arizona and get some wins and hopefully win the Pac-10.”

Perry said he also looks forward to the opportunity to play against his Logan teammate, Jones, when the Wildcats square off with the Bruins of UCLA.

“Playing against each other and knowing how competitive he is…like I am, it’s going to be a lot of fun.”

Perry said he plans to have the same strategy this off season as last off season when he vaulted to one of the best players in the Great Rivers Athletic Conference to the best, according to league coaches.

“I plan to put the time in – work hard and listen to the coaching staff. Stay focused and take it day by day. I have a lot of confidence in myself. I knew that eventually this time would come. It came and I was ready for it.”

Jones is also excited about his new career opportunity. He said the rigors or physicality of high-level Division I ball will force him to perform better.

“I feel I can come in and play at that level,” he said. “I’m going to give it all I’ve got.”

Jones said he will take about a month off and then begin his new basketball journey later in the summer.
Like Perry, he can’t wait until UCLA and Arizona hook up to play each other.

“I know what it’s like to go up against Jesse in practice every day, so going on a big stage like that ought to be a lot of fun. Both of us have worked hard for this and we’re both looking forward to this new opportunity.”

Morning after pill tough to swallow

Top potential UCLA basketball recruits Ray McCallum Jr, Trey Zeigler just want to play for coach dads

Signees’ opting for mid-major programs headed by their fathers may prove beneficial

By Ryan Eshoff
The Daily Bruin
April 15, 2010 at 12:34 a.m.

Ever since Zeus begat Hercules and oversaw his development into the World’s Strongest Man – I hear he dragged a Honda Odyssey across Greece – fathers have presided over their sons’ athletic careers like instructive caretakers.

On the first day of the college basketball spring signing period yesterday, Ray McCallum Jr. and Trey Zeigler – both of whom were targeted heavily by UCLA – chose to sign with schools at which their fathers are the coaches. For McCallum, that meant committing to Detroit; for Zeigler, it meant signing with Central Michigan. For both, it means sacrificing a chance to play at a high-major school for the opportunity to stay close to home and be tutored by their patres familias.

Sure, we’re all a tad bitter that McCallum and Zeigler won’t be coming to Westwood in the fall. Both would have been enormous coups for a Bruins program that has already hauled in three solid recruits but has four scholarships open because of graduations and transfers. Both players are high-level performers, and both possess high basketball IQs. The latter trait is actually a product of the reason that both guys spurned UCLA: They are the sons of coaches.

Despite the team’s recent struggles, the appeal of UCLA remains strong, particularly to mature guards. Bruin signee Tyler Lamb cited coach Ben Howland’s ability to send well-developed, ready-made guards to the NBA as a great recruiting chip, an enticement that “speaks for itself.”

But can you blame McCallum and Zeigler for taking advantage of such a rare opportunity? Former Davidson star Stephen Curry and current Butler standout Gordon Hayward have proven that even if you play at a mid-major, you have a chance to garner attention from the NBA. Perhaps seeing Butler – who plays in the Horizon League with Detroit – make the Final Four was all the justification McCallum needed that he could get the best of both worlds by playing for dad.

My old man is a UCLA alum who most definitely campaigned for me to be a Bruin, and my coming here was a decision I would make over and over again. This situation goes a step beyond that. While my dad has some coaching experience of his own, his is in the music realm, and I am to performing music what Charles Barkley is to swinging a golf club. But in the tiniest of ways that I can relate to these guys, it makes a lot of sense. Sure, there are advantages to moving away from college, but if my road to the NBA can be paved with either Covel pasta or with Mom’s home cooking, I’m going with the latter.

There’s also the flip side of the coin to consider. In terms of talent and notoriety, both sons are providing their fathers’ programs with huge boosts. But you have to take into account the more emotional elements of the coach-player dynamic as well; legendary Grambling football coach Eddie Robinson once postulated that “coaching is a profession of love. You can’t coach people unless you love them.” That necessity is a whole lot easier when the player shares your DNA.

Fathers, sons and sports have long been inexorably linked. As events of the last few days have evidenced, it’s a tie not easily unfastened, even in an NBA factory like UCLA. To the junior McCallum and young Zeigler, the benefits of playing for their pops clearly outweighed the negatives, and you have to give them credit for making that decision. As to whether or not playing for their fathers will hinder their potential NBA careers? Who knows, maybe the elder McCallum and Zeigler will continue to excel at something they’ve done already: procreate.

Wednesday, April 14, 2010

"Me neither" -- Ray McCallum Jr.

Photo ESPN Rise

ESPNU 100 Ray McCallum will play for his father
ESPN.com
April 14, 2010

ESPNU's No. 17 overall prospect Ray McCallum has decided to play college basketball for his father at the University of Detroit.

McCallum, who chose the Titans over high-major programs UCLA, Florida and Arizona, made his announcement on ESPNU during the networks National Signing Day Special.

Tuesday, April 13, 2010

No thanks, UCLA, Zeigler to play college basketball at CMU


Just saw this news mentioned on Bruin Zone and the freebie BRO message board:

Trey Zeigler to play college basketball at CMU
By DREW ELLIS
Morning Sun Sports Writer
Published: Tuesday, April 13, 2010


It’s official.

Mt. Pleasant senior guard Trey Zeigler has chosen to play college basketball for Central Michigan University. Sources close to the situation at CMU informed The Morning Sun of the decision as Zeigler has opted to play for his father, Ernie Zeigler, who finalized a new four year contract on Tuesday.

Trey Zeigler has chosen Central Michigan University over other programs like Michigan State, UCLA, Michigan, and Arizona State.

Zeigler will announce his decision on ESPNU at 4:45 p.m. on Wednesday. A press conference will be held on Thursday at Mt. Pleasant High School where Zeigler will officially sign his Letter of Intent to play for the Chippewas.

We're down to Ray McCallum Jr. for the state of Michigan

2010 Prospects McCallum, Zeigler to announce schools of choice tomorrow

McCallum will announce decision at 1 p.m. Wednesday on ESPNU
Wild About AZ Cats
Roundball Recruiting Roundup & the Rest
by Javier Morales on Apr.13, 2010, under Sports

Detroit Country Day School point guard Ray McCallum Jr., recruited by Arizona, Detoit Mercy, UCLA and Florida, will announce his decision Wednesday at 1 p.m., Tucson time, on ESPNU.

To read remainder of post, link.
________

Following article has date wrong, saying announcement is today, for some reason.

Recruits McCallum, Zeigler both could stay in state
Tom Markowski / The Detroit News
Last Updated: April 13. 2010 6:20PM

Ray McCallum Jr., a 6-foot-1 guard from Detroit Country Day and Trey Zeigler, a 6-5 forward from Mt. Pleasant, will announce their decisions on which school each will attend on ESPNU today.

Indications are that both will play for their fathers.

Ray McCallum Sr., is the coach at Detroit Mercy and Zeigler's father, Ernie Zeigler, is the coach at Central Michigan.

The first day of the spring signing period is today.

"I'll talk with Ray tonight and see where his heart is," Ray McCallum Sr. said.

Ray McCallum Jr. had narrowed his choices to Arizona, Detroit Mercy, Florida and UCLA.

Zeigler had recently narrowed his choices to five schools, Arizona State, Central, Michigan, Michigan State and UCLA. What may have him leaning toward Central is the fact his father received a four-year contract at the university.

Both players were selected to The Detroit News Dream Team the past two seasons.

Should Zeigler sign with Central, Michigan coach John Beilein would lose a valuable recruit he had hoped would fill the void left by junior Manny Harris, who decided to forego his senior season and enter the NBA draft.

A player who could help fill that slot is Isaiah Sykes, a 6-5 guard/forward from Detroit Denby. Sykes will make an official visit to Michigan this weekend.

Thursday, April 8, 2010

Another one bites the dust

Moser leaving UCLA basketball program
By Jon Gold, Staff Writer
The LA Daily News
Updated: 04/05/2010 11:53:43 PM PDT


The dominoes keep falling for the UCLA men's basketball team.

Less than a week after the dismissal of sophomore center J'mison "Bobo" Morgan, head coach Ben Howland announced Monday freshman forward Mike Moser intended to transfer, though the destination is undecided.

The Bruins now have just six scholarship players on the current roster, including freshman forward Brendan Lane, who is expected to miss at least five months after knee surgery, and three committed incoming freshmen.

Moser averaged 0.6 points and 0.5 rebounds in 70 minutes across 15 games this season, with a season high of three points (on his only 3-pointer) in a 69-67 loss to eventual NCAA runner-up Butler on Nov. 27, 2009.

"Mike is a good kid, a great student and a very hard worker," Howland said. "I have enjoyed having him in our program. He has a great attitude and I'm supportive of him finding a program where he will have a chance to play more minutes than we envision he will have here."
Moser, from Grant High School in Portland, Ore., was rated the No. 7 small forward recruit in the country last season. He will leave UCLA after the spring quarter.

"The way the season worked out for me this year, I feel it is necessary for me personally to make a move somewhere else so I can play," Moser said. "I have enjoyed my time here at UCLA and have built great relationships with my coaches and teammates.

"I'm going to stay in Division I and haven't spoken to anyone at all about playing. I won't rush into a decision. I'll just wait and see what happens in the next few weeks."

Moser's exit leaves the Bruins with little margin for error, as he becomes the third player to transfer this year, joining Morgan and Drew Gordon, who transferred to New Mexico early in the season.
_______

Pac-10 basketball: Former Grant High star Mike Moser will leave UCLA
By Mike Tokito, The Oregonian
April 05, 2010, 5:28PM

Mike Moser, a former standout at Portland's Grant High School, has decided to leave UCLA after the spring term and transfer to another school, UCLA announced Monday.

Moser, a 6-foot-8, 195-pound freshman forward, was a highly-recruited player at Grant who originally committed to Arizona, then rescinded after Lute Olson resigned as Wildcats coach. He chose UCLA after considering other Pac-10 schools, including USC, Oregon and Oregon State.

But Moser had a tough time adapting to UCLA and the defensive-oriented style it plays under coach Ben Howland. Moser missed some early practice time because of a back injury, but even when healthy, he struggled to get playing time despite the fact that the Bruins were depleted by injuries.

"I think there are things that the coaches are looking for in terms of defense -- he’s a decent defender, but that’s not his No. 1 strength," said Grant coach Tony Broadous, who said he spoke to Moser about two weeks ago. "He’s more of an offensive player. I think he didn’t totally fit in with the philosophy of UCLA."

Moser appeared in 15 of UCLA's 32 games and averaged 0.6 points and 0.5 rebounds.

"Mike is a good kid, a great student and a very hard worker," Howland said in a news release. "I have enjoyed having him in our program. He has a great attitude, and I'm supportive of him finding a program where he will have a chance to play more minutes than we envision he will have here."

Moser did not immediately return a phone message, but said in the release that he has not decided where to transfer to. Broadous said he believes Washington and Washington State are high on Moser's wish list, and Moser would probably prefer to play at another Pac-10 school. Broadous added that Moser should have plenty of options.

"A lot of major colleges were calling me since the middle of the season when they saw he wasn’t playing a whole lot," Broadous said. "Schools have been contacting me, ‘If he’s not happy, if he decides to leave, please let us know, keep us in mind.’"

Moser led Grant to a state title in 2008 and was a first-team all-state pick as a senior. He also played on the USA Junior National Select team and in the Nike Hoop Summit. Because of all that success, Broadous said the adversity Moser has faced in college might benefit him in the long run.

"Ever since high school, frankly, he hasn’t had much (adversity) because he’s always been the tallest and the best," Broadous said. "So now he has to go to UCLA where that’s not the case, and you have to fight a little bit and battle a little bit and work a little harder. He’ll have to sit out a year, and he can get stronger, work on some of his deficiencies, and he’ll be fine."

Moser has three seasons of eligibility remaining, although NCAA rules would require him to sit out next season if he chooses to transfer to another Division I school.

Saturday, April 3, 2010

Recruiting 2010: 6-9 205 power forward C.J. Leslie (Word of God, Raleigh, NC)

BRO.com/scout.com have power forward C.J. Leslie (Word of God Christian Academy, Raleigh, NC) as being offered a UCLA scholarship for the 2010-11 season (link) but then neither ESPN Recruiting (link) nor Yahoo/Rivals (link) even list UCLA as possible schools for Leslie. ESPN lists Kentucky, Florida, NC State, UConn while Yahoo/Rivals lists the same schools plus Oregon. Go figure.

For what it's worth, some videos on C.J. Leslie, a member of this year's McDonald's All-American class and former high school teammate of Kentucky guard John Wall. Reportedly, Wall is recruiting Leslie hard to join him at Kentucky (although Wall might be long gone to the NBA by the time Leslie gets there).

Leslie looks like a thinner version of Terrence Jones.

C.J. Leslie | PF

Hometown: Holly Springs, NC
High School: Word of God Christian Academy
Position rank: Power Forward # 3
Height: 6'9"
Weight: 205 lbs.

Junior year


Senior year


circa ???

Friday, April 2, 2010

Brendan Lane to have surgery

UCLA basketball: Brendan Lane to have surgery
Chris Foster
The LA Times
April 2, 2010 | 3:38 pm


UCLA forward Brendan Lane will have surgery to repair what team officials said are "multiple injuries" to his left ankle. He will miss about five months, according to team officials.

Lane, a 6-foot-9 freshman from Rocklin High in Northern California, sprained his ankle three times during the season and missed five games.

He averaged 2.4 points and 1.5 rebounds in 10 minutes a game while shooting 57.4% from the field.

Thursday, April 1, 2010

Michael Roll takes his saccharine jumpshot to the F4

Thanks to "richard.roll" who broke the news right here on MUH a day before the official UCLA press release, when he commented on a recent Micheal Roll post (link).

" richard.roll said...
Roll will participate in the three point shooting contest as well! Congrats!!!!

March 30, 2010 11:35 AM"

Wait a minute...Michael's dad's name is Richard, could it be?


Michael Roll to Compete in 22nd Annual Three-Point Championship

In addition to being named as a participant in the Reese's College All-Star Game, Roll will compete in the three-point contest.

from the Official UCLA Men's Basketball website
March 31, 2010


CHICAGO - Intersport, the sports and event marketing company working with the NCAA to conduct this year's 22nd Annual State Farm College Slam Dunk and Three-Point Championships, today announced the player participants for the Slam Dunk, Men's Three-Point and Women's Three-Point events.

"The NCAA Division I Men's and Women's basketball tournament games have showcased outstanding student-athletes and exciting competition, and this year we've assembled a tremendous roster of talent to compete in the State Farm Slam Dunk and Three-Point Championships," said Dan Jones, vice president of sponsorship and event marketing at Intersport. "I know these student-athletes will give the fans and at-home viewers an entertaining show."

The event roster includes: Denny's SLAM DUNK COMPETITION Gerard Anderson, Cal St. Fullerton; Marqus Blakeley, Vermont; Ryan Brooks, Temple; Marquez Haynes, UT-Arlington; Lazar Hayward, Marquette; Marsharee Neely, Old Dominion; Chris Roberts, Bradley; L.D. Williams, Wake Forest.

Built Ford Tough MEN'S THREE-POINT CONTEST Jermaine Beal, Vanderbilt; Jason Bohannon, Wisconsin; Ali Farokhmanesh, Northern Iowa; Eric Hayes, Maryland; Roman Martinez, New Mexico; Jerome Randle, California; Michael Roll, UCLA; Ryan Wittman, Cornell.

State Farm WOMEN'S THREE-POINT CONTEST Ashley Barlow, Notre Dame; Taylor Lilley, Oregon; Merideth Marsh, Vanderbilt; Maggie McCloskey, Loyola Chicago; Kelly McManmon, St. John's; Brigid Mulroy, Detroit Mercy; Bianca Smith, Colorado; Yvonne Turner, Nebraska.

The Men's Three-Point Champion and Women's Three-Point Champion will compete in the Mercedes-Benz BATTLE OF THE CHAMPIONS.

All competitions will take place on Thursday, April 1 beginning at 7:00 p.m. in Bracket Town refreshed by Coca-Cola Zero in Spalding Arena, which will be located at the Indiana Convention Center. Celebrity judges for the event include Gary Brackett and Eric Foster of the Indianapolis Colts, Danny Granger and Dahntay Jones of the Indiana Pacers and others to be named soon.

ESPN will broadcast the event on Thursday, April 1 from 9:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m. Brad Nessler, Jimmy Dykes and Holly Rowe will be the announcing team.

Tickets are $25 for adults and $15 for children and are on sale now at the Lucas Oil Stadium box office until the day of the event. On Thursday, April 1, tickets can be purchased at the Indiana Convention Center.


RELATED LINKS:
Michael Roll will play at the Final Four!!! (sorta)