UCLA/You Tube
Just wanted to post this for archiving here on Mostly UCLA Hoops. For more on the China 2012 trip, click here.
Saturday, November 3, 2012
Pauley Pavilion's Back: Join the Party
Published on Oct 29, 2012 by UCLA on You Tube
The beautifully renovated arena inspires something Bruin in all of us.
Featuring UCLA Alumni: Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Reggie Miller, Marques Johnson, Jamaal Wilkes, Anita Ortega, Ann Meyers Drysdale, Tyus Edney.
Featuring UCLA Alumni: Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Reggie Miller, Marques Johnson, Jamaal Wilkes, Anita Ortega, Ann Meyers Drysdale, Tyus Edney.
Thursday, November 1, 2012
UCLA can mix and match at point guard with Anderson and Drew
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UCLA basketball player Larry Drew II
participates in the Bruins' media day on Oct. 10, 2012. (Luis Sinco / Los Angeles
Times / October 10, 2012)
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UCLA can mix and match at point guard with Anderson and Drew
Kyle Anderson, newly cleared to play by the NCAA, and Larry Drew bring different styles to the position. Coach Ben Howland says they'll often play together.
By Baxter Holmes
The City of Angels Times
8:02 PM PDT, November 1, 2012
SAN FRANCISCO — A chasm separates UCLA basketball players Kyle Anderson and
Larry Drew.
One is a freshman, the other a fifth-year senior. One hails from the East (New Jersey), the other the West (Encino). One stands 6 feet 9, the other is 6-2.
But both are point guards, and Coach Ben Howland said Thursday they'll often be in the same lineup.
"I've always loved having two points guards on the floor," Howland said at the Pac-12 Conference's men's basketball media day.
Howland noted that he employed that tactic when Jordan Farmar, Darren Collison, Jrue Holiday and Russell Westbrook wore Bruins blue.
Playing Anderson and Drew in tandem — for stretches at least — helps solve the riddle of which maestro will conduct UCLA's potentially potent offense. They both will.
Anderson wasn't in the equation for sure until Wednesday, when the NCAA declared him eligible after a lengthy investigation into his father's ties with a sports agent.
"We're so excited for him to have that weight lifted off his shoulders," Howland said.
That weight is still weighing on another UCLA freshman, Shabazz Muhammad, who has yet to be declared eligible by the NCAA. Investigators are looking into his family's and AAU team's ties to two financial planners.
The NCAA was expected to interview Muhammad's parents, Ron Holmes and Faye Muhammad, late this week, according to people close to the investigation who were not authorized to speak publicly. The timeline for a possible resolution is unclear. Howland said he's "very optimistic" Muhammad will be deemed eligible.
In the meantime, Howland can finally discuss Anderson's role, knowing that he will be available for UCLA's season opener Nov. 9 against Indiana State at Pauley Pavilion.
Aside from playing point guard on offense, Anderson probably will defend small forwards, Howland said.
"He's the one kid on our team who probably has to know more positions than anybody else," said Howland, whose team was picked in a vote of media members to finish second in the Pac-12 behind Arizona.
On offense, Howland said Anderson excels at pushing the ball up the court with passes, whereas Drew, a transfer from North Carolina who sat out last season, will jet up the court by dribbling.
Those skill sets could be crucial for a team that says it wants to play more up-tempo on offense this season.
However, if the Bruins revert to the grind-it-out offense for which Howland is known, Anderson and Drew will operate mostly in the half court.
Howland said that if Drew isn't in the game, Norman Powell will be for the purpose of guarding opposing point guards, a task for which Anderson isn't physically suited.
Regardless, UCLA's offense will be in good hands — no matter whom those hands belong to, forward David Wear said.
Wear noted how well the Bruins' offense flowed when Anderson and Drew were on the court together when UCLA went 3-0 during an exhibition trip to China last summer.
"They're both really good decision makers; they're both dynamic in their own way," Wear said. "We have two guys out there with great vision. That's going to benefit us."
Of note
UCLA will play host to Nevada Las Vegas in a closed scrimmage on Saturday. By NCAA rule, UCLA is not allowed to publicize the results.
baxter.holmes@latimes.com
Twitter: @BaxterHolmes
One is a freshman, the other a fifth-year senior. One hails from the East (New Jersey), the other the West (Encino). One stands 6 feet 9, the other is 6-2.
But both are point guards, and Coach Ben Howland said Thursday they'll often be in the same lineup.
"I've always loved having two points guards on the floor," Howland said at the Pac-12 Conference's men's basketball media day.
Howland noted that he employed that tactic when Jordan Farmar, Darren Collison, Jrue Holiday and Russell Westbrook wore Bruins blue.
Playing Anderson and Drew in tandem — for stretches at least — helps solve the riddle of which maestro will conduct UCLA's potentially potent offense. They both will.
Anderson wasn't in the equation for sure until Wednesday, when the NCAA declared him eligible after a lengthy investigation into his father's ties with a sports agent.
"We're so excited for him to have that weight lifted off his shoulders," Howland said.
That weight is still weighing on another UCLA freshman, Shabazz Muhammad, who has yet to be declared eligible by the NCAA. Investigators are looking into his family's and AAU team's ties to two financial planners.
The NCAA was expected to interview Muhammad's parents, Ron Holmes and Faye Muhammad, late this week, according to people close to the investigation who were not authorized to speak publicly. The timeline for a possible resolution is unclear. Howland said he's "very optimistic" Muhammad will be deemed eligible.
In the meantime, Howland can finally discuss Anderson's role, knowing that he will be available for UCLA's season opener Nov. 9 against Indiana State at Pauley Pavilion.
Aside from playing point guard on offense, Anderson probably will defend small forwards, Howland said.
"He's the one kid on our team who probably has to know more positions than anybody else," said Howland, whose team was picked in a vote of media members to finish second in the Pac-12 behind Arizona.
On offense, Howland said Anderson excels at pushing the ball up the court with passes, whereas Drew, a transfer from North Carolina who sat out last season, will jet up the court by dribbling.
Those skill sets could be crucial for a team that says it wants to play more up-tempo on offense this season.
However, if the Bruins revert to the grind-it-out offense for which Howland is known, Anderson and Drew will operate mostly in the half court.
Howland said that if Drew isn't in the game, Norman Powell will be for the purpose of guarding opposing point guards, a task for which Anderson isn't physically suited.
Regardless, UCLA's offense will be in good hands — no matter whom those hands belong to, forward David Wear said.
Wear noted how well the Bruins' offense flowed when Anderson and Drew were on the court together when UCLA went 3-0 during an exhibition trip to China last summer.
"They're both really good decision makers; they're both dynamic in their own way," Wear said. "We have two guys out there with great vision. That's going to benefit us."
Of note
UCLA will play host to Nevada Las Vegas in a closed scrimmage on Saturday. By NCAA rule, UCLA is not allowed to publicize the results.
baxter.holmes@latimes.com
Twitter: @BaxterHolmes
UCLA's Kyle Anderson cleared to play by NCAA
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| Kyle Anderson was one of the top recruits in the Class of 2012. If he's eligible, that's big news for UCLA.(Photo: Damian Dovarganes, AP) |
UCLA's Kyle Anderson cleared to play by NCAA
12:54AM EDT November 1. 2012 - The father of UCLA basketball freshman Kyle Anderson said he never had a doubt his son would be cleared to play after a four-month NCAA investigation because he was never told that the NCAA had specific evidence of rules violations.
"I know there were rumors about my family receiving stuff," Kyle Anderson Sr. told USA TODAY Sports in a telephone interview. "I actually moved out of my apartment and live with one of my fraternity brothers so I can save money so I can travel to see Kyle play. For all the rumors that said I received $250,000, ... I am a 50-year-old roommate."
Anderson Sr., also his son's summer league coach, said "anyone who knows this business knows I don't have to shop Kyle around. The vultures are going to come get him. I have a very unique position that the vultures — be it the college coaches or the agents — all know that I am in this business, so there is no reason to bombard me with phone calls because all my ducks are in line."
Anderson Sr. said NCAA officials told him they were not at liberty to tell him why they began investigating his son. Of specific concern to the NCAA was Anderson Sr.'s relationship with agent Thad Foucher.
"I don't know what the protocol is when you have a friend who is in a business and now you have a son in the business," said Anderson Sr., adding that he has known Foucher since Foucher was an AAU coach. "Through the years, our kids have been fortunately represented by Arn Tellem, who Foucher works with. Me and Thad are cool. But it's not like people can say, 'I saw them sitting here or there together.' We were never together. We do know each other, and we do talk on the phone."
There was also questions about the number of unofficial visits Anderson made to UCLA and who paid for them. Anderson Sr. said his son would not have taken any unofficial visits if it had been up to him. Anderson Sr. said his son requested one visit during the three years he has been a nationally recognized recruit, and that was to Arizona.
"We were out in L.A. for Adidas nation or our AAU team was out there playing," Anderson Sr. said. "That's the only time he went out there for visits."
Anderson Sr. said all the information the NCAA requested was given to the association in early August.
"Ben (Howland) really doesn't want me to go into depth about what the NCAA did because they still have to worry about Shabazz (Muhammad) being cleared," Anderson Sr. said. "He has asked me not to do anything to bash the NCAA. I don't want UCLA to have an uphill battle with the Shabazz situation."
Anderson Sr. said he is confident the NCAA will clear Muhammad, who is being investigated in part because of his family's relationship with North Carolina-based financial adviser Benjamin Lincoln.
Scout.com ranked Anderson fourth in the 2012 recruiting class, and the 6-8 forward from Jersey City is expected to contribute immediately for the Bruins.
Muhammad, a 6-5 guard from Las Vegas, was rated No. 2 in the class by Scout.com. He had been practicing with the team until suffering a shoulder injury last week. The school has said he'll miss two to four weeks.
The school officially announced Anderson's status Wednesday afternoon.
Freshman guard Jordan Adams tweeted: They finally FREE'D my bro @KyleAnderson5 from the NCAA ayyy lol
The Bruins are 13th in the preseason USA TODAY Sports Coaches Poll. They open their season Nov. 9 at home against Indiana State.
Contributing: Nicole Auerbach
____________________
UCLA's Kyle Anderson gets NCAA clearance
Fellow freshman Shabazz Muhammad's case is considered more complex.
By David Wharton and Baxter Holmes
D' LA Times
7:08 PM PDT, October 31, 2012
Now that UCLA guard Kyle Anderson has been declared eligible to play this
season, the NCAA has narrowed its focus to the Bruins' other top freshman,
Shabazz Muhammad.
Investigators were scheduled to interview Muhammad's parents — Ron Holmes and Faye Muhammad — late this week, according to people with knowledge of the situation who were not authorized to speak publicly.
The NCAA is examining whether Muhammad received improper benefits while in high school. The people said his family has turned over thousands of pages of personal financial documents in hopes of having him cleared.
In the meantime, the Bruins can finally — officially — welcome Anderson to the fold.
"It was a long and tedious process that, in my eyes, wasn't necessary, but we cooperated," said Anderson's father, Kyle Sr. "I had no doubt that he would be cleared because there was nothing for them to find."
The 6-foot-9 Anderson is expected to make an immediate contribution to the 13th-ranked Bruins. UCLA did not make him or any other players available to reporters Wednesday, but teammate Jordan Adams tweeted: "They finally FREED my bro @KyleAnderson5 from the NCAA ayyy lol."
Over the last month or so, the NCAA was thought to be investigating Kyle Sr.'s longtime relationship with NBA agent Thad Foucher.
The men met while coaching separate AAU teams and had maintained contact over the years. Foucher now works with Arn Tellem at the Wasserman Media Group, which was founded by UCLA alumnus and influential booster Casey Wasserman.
"The NCAA has found no evidence to substantiate claims of violations in his case," UCLA Athletic Director Dan Guerrero said of Anderson in a statement. "I am grateful to all those who were involved in the process."
People close to the situation had been expecting a positive outcome for the last few weeks. Muhammad's case is considered more complex.
Investigators have been looking into funds the 6-6 swingman received from Benjamin Lincoln, the brother of an assistant at his high school, who helped pay for unofficial recruiting visits to schools other than UCLA.
They also want to know more about his relationship with Ken Kavanagh, a New York financial planner who helped fund the summer team that Muhammad played for in his hometown of Las Vegas.
The family has said that Lincoln is a friend. As such, he might have been permitted under NCAA rules to give financial aid.
After hearing of Anderson's case on Wednesday, Muhammad tweeted: "Haha hopefully I'm next so we can get this season going!!!!"
There is no timeline for a decision. Muhammad is currently practicing with the team and eligible to play under a 45-day window that would run out a week or two into the season.
UCLA is scheduled to face Indiana State in the season opener at a renovated Pauley Pavilion on Nov. 9.
david.wharton@latimes.com;
baxter.holmes@latimes.com
Twitter: @LATimesWharton
Investigators were scheduled to interview Muhammad's parents — Ron Holmes and Faye Muhammad — late this week, according to people with knowledge of the situation who were not authorized to speak publicly.
The NCAA is examining whether Muhammad received improper benefits while in high school. The people said his family has turned over thousands of pages of personal financial documents in hopes of having him cleared.
In the meantime, the Bruins can finally — officially — welcome Anderson to the fold.
"It was a long and tedious process that, in my eyes, wasn't necessary, but we cooperated," said Anderson's father, Kyle Sr. "I had no doubt that he would be cleared because there was nothing for them to find."
The 6-foot-9 Anderson is expected to make an immediate contribution to the 13th-ranked Bruins. UCLA did not make him or any other players available to reporters Wednesday, but teammate Jordan Adams tweeted: "They finally FREED my bro @KyleAnderson5 from the NCAA ayyy lol."
Over the last month or so, the NCAA was thought to be investigating Kyle Sr.'s longtime relationship with NBA agent Thad Foucher.
The men met while coaching separate AAU teams and had maintained contact over the years. Foucher now works with Arn Tellem at the Wasserman Media Group, which was founded by UCLA alumnus and influential booster Casey Wasserman.
"The NCAA has found no evidence to substantiate claims of violations in his case," UCLA Athletic Director Dan Guerrero said of Anderson in a statement. "I am grateful to all those who were involved in the process."
People close to the situation had been expecting a positive outcome for the last few weeks. Muhammad's case is considered more complex.
Investigators have been looking into funds the 6-6 swingman received from Benjamin Lincoln, the brother of an assistant at his high school, who helped pay for unofficial recruiting visits to schools other than UCLA.
They also want to know more about his relationship with Ken Kavanagh, a New York financial planner who helped fund the summer team that Muhammad played for in his hometown of Las Vegas.
The family has said that Lincoln is a friend. As such, he might have been permitted under NCAA rules to give financial aid.
After hearing of Anderson's case on Wednesday, Muhammad tweeted: "Haha hopefully I'm next so we can get this season going!!!!"
There is no timeline for a decision. Muhammad is currently practicing with the team and eligible to play under a 45-day window that would run out a week or two into the season.
UCLA is scheduled to face Indiana State in the season opener at a renovated Pauley Pavilion on Nov. 9.
david.wharton@latimes.com;
baxter.holmes@latimes.com
Twitter: @LATimesWharton
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