Thomas Welsh, a rapidly improving 7-foot center at Los Angeles Loyola, has committed to UCLA. Welsh also considered Stanford and California.
His decision is an important recruiting victory for UCLA Coach Steve Alford in landing a top player from Southern California.
Welsh averaged 12.6 points and 10.9 rebounds as a junior. His development over the summer resulted in an intense recruiting campaign from Pac-12 schools.
Eric.sondheimer@latimes.com


Thomas Welsh
Los Angeles Loyola's 7-foot center Thomas Welsh has committed to UCLA. (Robert Helfman / November19, 2013)
UCLA lands four-star center Thomas Welsh

After a slow start, UCLA is starting to form a solid recruiting class under first-year head coach Steve Alford.
The latest addition is four-star center Thomas Welsh, a local 7-footer whose stock shot up this past summer. The Loyola High senior picked the Bruins over Stanford and Cal, and should help shore up a frontcourt that loses seniors Travis and David Wear.
Scout.com first reported the commitment.
The gem of UCLA’s haul this early signing period is five-star power forward Kevon Looney, a top-15 national recruit, but Welsh projects as a solid four-year starter who can contribute immediately. The Bruins have also inked Hungarian forward Gyorgy Goloman, who is starting his first year of American prep ball in Florida.
The team now awaits a decision from five-star swingman Justise Winslow. Assistant David Grace was in Houston Tuesday night to watch Winslow and St. John’s School take on Westside High.
Tomorrow is the last day for players to sign until April 16.
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– From this summer, a short Q&A with Welsh.