By Baxter Holmes
The Los Angeles Times
6:39 AM PST, November 14, 2012
The "Free Shabazz" movement made its way from the Pauley Pavilion stands onto the court Tuesday.
In an apparent sign of solidarity toward their fellow freshman, Kyle Anderson, Tony Parker and Jordan Adams wore light-blue "Free Shabazz" T-shirts, bearing the face of Shabazz Muhammad in silhouette with the words "Free Shabazz" underneath, during warm-ups before the Bruins played UC Irvine.
The highly touted Muhammad was declared ineligible by the NCAA Nov. 9 after an investigation found a violation of amateurism issues; a timeline for resolution of his case is unclear.
After the game, UCLA Coach Ben Howland said he was unaware that his players wore the shirts, which have been growing in popularity among UCLA students and other Bruins fans.
"That will not happen again," Howland said. "That's not something we can do."
When asked about the shirts, Adams said, "No comment."
So, it's official: The Shabazz Muhammad eligibility case has officially turned into a mess.
On Friday night, before UCLA's opening game against Indiana State, Red Hot Chili Peppers bassist and fan-about-L.A. Flea showed some punk-rock solidarity with the Bruins' suspended star when he donned a righteous "Free Shabazz Muhammad" T-shirt. On Tuesday, the Muhammad family released a strongly worded statement refuting the NCAA's claims about the financial adviser that allegedly paid for two of Muhammad's visits to Duke and North Carolina, on which the NCAA based its ineligible ruling. The NCAA responded by saying it didn't receive most of the documents it needed until late September, and was still waiting on "additional critical information" until Nov. 1.
On Tuesday night, three of Shabazz's classmates joined in the uproar. From the Los Angeles Times:
In an apparent sign of solidarity their fellow freshman, Kyle Anderson, Tony Parker and Jordan Adams wore light-blue "Free Shabazz" T-shirts, with face of Shabazz Muhammad in silhouette, during warm-ups before the Bruins played UC Irvine.
Yep. That happened. And how did UCLA coach Ben Howland feel about it?
"That will not happen again," Howland said. "That's not something we can do."
Part of me loves the minor anti-establishment gesture. Part of me thinks it's just kind of silly. And another part thinks maybe this is the kind of thing that UCLA fans were right to fret about coming into the season -- an ineligible star, a miniature team rebellion against the NCAA, a coach trying to keep it all together in an absolutely pivotal year of his career. And oh, by the way, the game that immediately followed the "Free Shabazz" movement was a near loss to UC Irvineat home in overtime. Imagine if UCLA had lost.
In any case, Solomon Hill has an idea for Shabazz and his family: Just take a pass on college altogether. That's what Hill thinks more and more prospects will start doing, particularly if families start feeling especially besieged by the NCAA enforcement folks. From USA Today:
"It's going to show future classes, 'Okay, they're going to put you under investigation, make you look like the bad guy just to make an example of you,' " Hill told USA Today Sports this week. "If you don't want to be investigated, just don't go to college. If you take money early, make the decision that you're not going to attend college and you're going to seek training. There's nothing bad with that decision."
[...] "I'm pretty sure there are a lot of guys out there that went to a program and took some type of benefits. You're telling him that he has to go to college and now you're going to sit him down because he did something? He is going to be a millionaire."
The man has a point, one the anti-"one and done rule" folks have been screaming at a totally apathetic NBA for years: Maybe college isn't for everybody. That's true in general society. Why wouldn't it be true for future professional basketball players? Maybe, instead of spending eight months pretending to care about your 101 poly sci courses, you spend eight months training, eating right, studying progressive taxation and learning about the perils of fast millions without a financial plan. Or, if you want to make money ASAP, there is always the Brandon Jennings plan. That seemed to work out OK for Jennings.
When you think about it, it's actually a little bit surprising you don't see more of this. Maybe most prospects think missing out on college hoops is still just too risky -- too likely to ruin their draft value. Perhaps greater NCAA enforcement, particularly at the start of players' careers, will change the risk-reward calculus involved in playing one season at a college program. Maybe not. But as the NCAA cracks down (and doubles down) on the putative purity of amateurism, Hill's idea, and those like it, may only become more attractive.
UCLA waited through a hoopla-filled, 14-minute pregame show that included appearances by former UCLA players and a national anthem performed on an electric bass by Flea of the Red Hot Chili Peppers, then got off to a sluggish start. The Bruins made only one of their first eight field goal attempts and committed nine first-half turnovers, but they slowly pulled away late in the first half.
The Bruins took their first lead at 15-14 with 8:43 to play in the half and extended it to 10 points before going into halftime, with a 36-27 halftime lead. UCLA started the second half with a 10-3 run and Indiana State didn't seriously threaten after that.
With Muhammad out, a couple of other UCLA freshman helped pick up the slack. Jordan Adams had a game-high 21 points, along with eight rebounds, and Kyle Anderson had a well-rounded nine points, seven rebounds and five assists. Travis Wear added 17 points and six rebounds for the Bruins, while David Wear had 13 points and 10 rebounds.
Player of the game: Adams
He was the least-heralded freshman in UCLA's top-ranked recruiting class but the most dominant in the season opener, scoring from all over the floor and crashing the boards on the defensive end. Rebounding was not expected to be one of Adams' strong suits, so his total was a nice bonus for UCLA.
Stat of the game
The first points scored in the new Pauley Pavilion came on a three-pointer by Indiana State's Justin Gant at the 17:11 mark of the first half. It wasn't quite as dramatic as the last points scored in the old Pauley, when Tyler Trapani, great-grandson of John Wooden, made a layup in the final game before Pauley was shut down for a 20-month, $136 million makeover. Travis Wear made a jump shot at the 16:56 mark for UCLA's first points.
What it means
The Bruins won their season opener against a mid-major, something they could not do last year when they lost to Loyola Marymount at the Los Angeles Sports Arena. With so many new faces in key places, a little rust was bound to show up. But the Bruins shook it off in time to avoid what would have been a major disappointment if they lost the first game in their refurbished building.
What’s next
UCLA will face UC Irvine on Tuesday at 8:30 p.m. at Pauley Pavilion. Indiana State will play Winthrop in Terre Haute on the same day.
LOS ANGELES -- UCLA, ranked No. 13 in the preseason Associated Press poll, has high hopes as the season is set to begin Friday against Indiana State. The Bruins will reopen a refurbished Pauley Pavilion with a roster filled with high-profile freshmen and a good mix of returning players.
Here is a quick look at the 2012-12 UCLA basketball team:
FRONTCOURT
Tony Parker, freshman (6-foot-9, 275 pounds)
A high school All-American last season, Parker will get minutes as a backup at the post positions. He’s raw and still developing at this level, but is a big-bodied presence who brings a pedigree of success, having helped lead his team to four consecutive Georgia 4A state championships. He averaged 16.8 points, 11 rebounds and three blocks as a senior last year and was named Georgia’s Mr. Basketball.
Joshua Smith, junior (6-10, 305)
Smith is looking to rebound from a disappointing sophomore season in which he routinely found foul trouble and he played only 17.2 minutes a game. He averaged 9.9 points and 4.9 rebounds, but showed at times that he can be a dominant force in the paint. He has a unique combination of soft hands and the size that is difficult to defend. If his mind and conditioning are in tune, Smith could develop into one of the top post players in the country.
David Wear, junior (6-10, 230)
A 30-game starter last season, Wear averaged 10.2 points and led the team with 6.3 rebounds per game as he earned honorable mention All Pac-12 honors. He will be counted on for his versatility and reliability. He has the offensive skills to play small forward, power forward or center and improved his conditioning and athleticism during the offseason. He has 3-point range (14-for-30 last season) and understands the game well enough to play all over the court.
Travis Wear, junior (6-10, 230)
More of a true inside player than his twin brother, he will get most of his minutes at the power forward and center spots. Wear is a very good inside scorer on the offensive end and was second on the team in scoring last year with 11.5 points per game and was second in rebounding with 5.9. He runs the floor well for a big man and can get to the free-throw line and convert. He shot a team-best 79.1 percent from the free-throw line last season and 53.3 percent from the field -- second best on the team.
WINGS
Kyle Anderson, freshman (6-9, 235)
A versatile freshman who was the No. 5 high school player in the nation last season and is projected to start at the small forward. He has tremendous ball handling and passing skills that will allow him to play point guard and shooting guard at times and has enough size to match up at power forward. A classic triple-double threat, Anderson guided his high school team to a 69-0 record the past two seasons and will be a difficult matchup wherever he plays.
Tyler Lamb, junior (6-5, 200)
The most experienced returner, Lamb stared 32 games last season and played in all 34 games as a freshman. He played 31.4 minutes per game last season -- the most of any returning player -- and adds a little bit of everything. He was among the top five on the team in scoring, rebounding, assists and steals and had the second-most 3-point baskets. He is also a tenacious defender who often matches up with the top opposing player.
Shabazz Muhammad, freshman (6-6, 225)
The prize recruit in UCLA’s top-ranked freshman class, Muhammad is a dynamic, athletic scorer who was the consensus high school player of the year last season. He averaged 29.4 points, 10.1 rebounds and 2.4 assists as a senior in leading his team to the Nevada 4A state title. He’s a left-handed slasher who can get to the basket and finish and has shooting range to pull up for 3-pointers. He will start whenever he is cleared to play by the NCAA.
BACKCOURT
Jordan Adams, freshman (6-5, 220)
The least heralded among the four UCLA freshmen, but a valuable weapon because of his long-range shooting ability. He’s a 3-point marksman who will get minutes off the bench and help open the middle for UCLA’s big men and wings. He is the fourth-leading scorer in the history of prestigious prep program Oak Hill Academy, and averaged 19.8 points last season.
Larry Drew II, senior (6-2, 180)
The North Carolina transfer is perhaps the most important piece of UCLA’s puzzle this season as he is the team’s only true, classic point guard. He’s extremely quick and has a knack for finding the open man. In his last full season at North Carolina, he was second in the ACC with six assists per game. He’s also a tenacious defender and is a key reason why the Bruins will look to push the tempo this season.
Norman Powell, sophomore (6-4, 215)
An extremely athletic outside player, Powell returns after a somewhat quiet freshman season looking to be more aggressive. He played in all 33 games last season and averaged 4.6 points in 17.8 minutes. Too often he settled for outside shots, however, and as a result he attempted only 15 free throws. He is a decent 3-point shooter (34.7 percent last year) but will be more effective if he drives and cuts to the basket to use his explosiveness.
In this Oct.10, 2012 AP file photo UCLA Bruins guard/forward Shabazz Muhammad takes questions from the media at the UCLA campus in Los Angeles. With Shabazz and Kyle Parker, another sought-after recruit, UCLA has the pieces in place for a revival this season. (Photo: Damian Dovarganes, AP)
Violation of NCAA amateurism rules will keep Muhammad off the court for an
undetermined amount of time.
By Baxter Holmes
The Los Angeles Times
6:59 PM PST, November 9, 2012
UCLA freshman guard Shabazz Muhammad has been declared ineligible by the NCAA
after lenghty probe uncovered a violation of NCAA amateurism rules.
It's unknown how many games Muhammad will miss. UCLA Athletic Director Dan
Guerrero said that figure is yet to be determined, but that UCLA will appeal the
decision.
"I feel bad for the kid," Guerrero said as UCLA prepared to open its season
against Indiana State.
Muhammad’s case dragged on for about a year as the NCAA examined ties between
two financial planners to his family and AAU team.
Investigators met with Muhammad’s parents -- Ron Holmes and Faye Muhammad --
in early November to discuss his case, people close to the situation said.
During those interviews, investigators raised questions about money
Muhammad’s family had received from Benjamin Lincoln, who is based in Charlotte
and is the brother of an assistant coach at Muhammad’s high school. Lincoln
helped pay for unofficial visits to North Carolina and Duke, Muhammad’s family
has said.
The NCAA also raised questions about Ken Kavanagh, who is based in New York
and who partially funded the Dream Vision summer team that Muhammad played for
in his hometown of Las Vegas.
Here is a statment from the NCAA:
"UCLA student-athlete Shabazz Muhammad is not eligible to compete in
tonight’s game due to violations of NCAA amateurism rules. In addition to other
pending issues, Muhammad accepted travel and lodging during three unofficial
visits to two NCAA member schools.
The university and the NCAA enforcement staff agreed on the set of facts in
the case, which led to the determination that a violation occurred. NCAA member
schools have established standards to determine when an individual may provide
financial assistance to student-athletes.
These criteria, which were not met in this case, are in place to identify
when benefits are provided based on a student-athlete’s athletic ability.
The NCAA is committed to providing thorough, yet timely decisions regarding
student-athlete eligibility. The expediency of these decisions can hinge on the
level of timely cooperation of all involved parties.
In the case of Muhammad, the NCAA staff requested specific documents on July
31 to assist in the evaluation of Muhammad’s eligibility. However, the NCAA
enforcement staff did not receive the majority of the requested documents for
review until September 25, followed by more information on October 10, and
additional critical information on November 1.
After reviewing thousands of pages of information, the NCAA interviewed
Muhammad’s parents last week. The staff and the university then submitted the
agreed-upon facts the afternoon of November 9.
The NCAA then rendered a decision
within a matter of hours. As demonstrated by the facts, we are committed to
resolving the remaining matters as quickly as possible."
In its own statement, UCLA said it was "extremely disappointed" in the NCAA's
determination.
“The University and our compliance staff have fully cooperated with the NCAA
throughout this entire period, and we believe the decision is incorrect and
unjust to Shabazz," the UCLA statement said. "UCLA will expeditiously pursue its
options to challenge this determination. When a final resolution has been
reached by the NCAA, we will swiftly communicate the news to the entire Bruin
family.”
UCLA freshman Shabazz Muhammad has been declared ineligible to participate, UCLA announced before its season opener Friday night at Pauley Pavilion.
Muhammad, the national high school player of the year last year, was found to have violated NCAA amateurism rules after a lengthy investigation.
"In addition to other pending issues, Muhammad accepted travel and lodging during three unofficial visits to two NCAA member schools," the NCAA said in a statement.
The school, which will appeal the decision, said the NCAA did not specify a number of games Muhammad has to sit out.
"The NCAA has finally determined that a violation of the NCAA amateurism rules has occurred involving UCLA freshman guard Shabazz Muhammad and his family," the school said in a statement. "As a result, he is ineligible for competition at this time. We are extremely disappointed that the NCAA has made this determination.
"The University and our compliance staff have fully cooperated with the NCAA throughout this entire period, and we believe the decision is incorrect and unjust to Shabazz. UCLA will expeditiously pursue its options to challenge this determination. When a final resolution has been reached by the NCAA, we will swiftly communicate the news to the entire Bruin family."
UCLA released a statement on Friday evening, just an hour before the
Bruins tipped-off with Indiana State, that five-star forward Shabazz Muhammad has been ruled
ineligible by the NCAA.
Shabazz Muhammad has been ruled ineligible for
Friday night.
Here's
the full statement from Athletic Director Dan Guerrero:
"The NCAA has
finally determined that a violation of the NCAA amateurism rules has occurred
involving UCLA freshman guard Shabazz Muhammad and his family. As a result, he
is ineligible for competition at this time. We are extremely disappointed that
the NCAA has made this determination.
"The University and our compliance
staff have fully cooperated with the NCAA throughout this entire period, and we
believe the decision is incorrect and unjust to Shabazz. UCLA will expeditiously
pursue its options to challenge this determination. When a final resolution has
been reached by the NCAA, we will swiftly communicate the news to the entire
Bruin family."
UPDATE: The NCAA released a statement regarding
Muhammad's eligibility as well. Here it is:
"UCLA student-athlete Shabazz
Muhammad is not eligible to compete in tonight's game due to violations of NCAA
amateurism rules. In addition to other pending issues, Muhammad accepted travel
and lodging during three unofficial visits to two NCAA member
schools.
The university and the NCAA enforcement staff agreed on the set
of facts in the case, which led to the determination that a violation occurred.
NCAA member schools have established standards to determine when an individual
may provide financial assistance to student-athletes. These criteria, which were
not met in this case, are in place to identify when benefits are provided based
on a student-athlete's athletic ability.
The NCAA is committed to
providing thorough, yet timely decisions regarding student-athlete eligibility.
The expediency of these decisions can hinge on the level of timely cooperation
of all involved parties.
In the case of Muhammad, the NCAA staff
requested specific documents on July 31 to assist in the evaluation of
Muhammad's eligibility. However, the NCAA enforcement staff did not receive the
majority of the requested documents for review until September 25, followed by
more information on October 10, and additional critical information on November
1.
After reviewing thousands of pages of information, the NCAA
interviewed Muhammad's parents last week. The staff and the university then
submitted the agreed-upon facts the afternoon of November 9. The NCAA then
rendered a decision within a matter of hours. As demonstrated by the facts, we
are committed to resolving the remaining matters as quickly as
possible."
BSR will have more on Muhammad's situation after the UCLA
game Friday night.
LOS ANGELES — No. 13 UCLA took a big loss before its season even began on
Friday night.
The NCAA ruled freshman Shabazz Muhammad is ineligible to play basketball
after violating amateurism rules, leaving the Bruins without their highly touted
recruit to start the season.
The school announced the NCAA’s ruling in a statement from athletic director
Dan Guerrero about 80 minutes before the Bruins’ season opener against Indiana
State on Friday night, which was expected to be a celebration of the reopening
of newly renovated Pauley Pavilion.
“The NCAA has finally determined that a violation of the NCAA amateurism
rules has occurred involving UCLA freshman guard Shabazz Muhammad and his
family,” Guerrero said. “As a result, he is ineligible for competition at this
time. We are extremely disappointed that the NCAA has made this
determination.”
Guerrero said UCLA believes “the decision is incorrect and unjust to
Shabazz.”
He said the school will pursue its options to challenge the NCAA ruling.
The NCAA didn’t give a timetable for Muhammad’s ineligibility in its
statement. It said he “is not eligible to compete in tonight’s game due to
violations of NCAA amateurism rules. In addition to other pending issues,
Muhammad accepted travel and lodging during three unofficial visits to two NCAA
member schools.”
The NCAA had been investigating Muhammad for months involving alleged
improper benefits he received in his recruitment from boosters of his Las Vegas
AAU program and the alleged improper acceptance of airline flights for some of
his recruiting visits. He chose UCLA over Kentucky and Duke.
The NCAA said its staff requested specific documents on July 31 to help
evaluate Muhammad’s eligibility. However, the NCAA said its enforcement staff
didn’t receive the majority of the requested documents for review until Sept.
25, followed by more information on Oct. 10, and what it called “additional
critical information” on Nov. 1.
Muhammad’s parents were interviewed last week, according to the NCAA. It said
NCAA staff and UCLA submitted the agreed-upon facts on Nov. 9 and a decision was
rendered within hours.
Muhammad had been practicing with the Bruins until he strained his right
shoulder on Oct. 25. Coach Ben Howland said this week that Muhammad was “real
close” to being able to play, pending the outcome of the NCAA probe.
“The guy is 18 and he just wants to play,” center Joshua Smith said this
week. “He’s waiting and waiting and waiting to hear something. He’s at every
practice watching or on the sideline getting ready.”
Howland said last week that he was “very confident” about Muhammad being
cleared to play.
Freshman Kyle Anderson was cleared to play by the NCAA last week after being
investigated for potential recruiting violations. The NCAA said it found no
evidence to substantiate such claims. The forward from Jersey City, N.J., was
among the nation’s top recruits last spring and was projected to start Friday
night’s game at Pauley.
Ninety
minutes before UCLA opened its season against Indiana State in the first game at
newly renovated Pauley Pavilion, the Bruins made an announcement that tempered
the celebratory mood.
UCLA revealed the NCAA has
declared highly touted freshman Shabazz Muhammad ineligible indefinitely due
to a violation of amateurism rules, not a surprising ruling but certainly a
damaging one. Muhammad, a 6-foot-5 wing, was the centerpiece of a recruiting
class UCLA hoped would revitalize a program that has missed the NCAA tournament
two of the past three seasons.
UCLA athletic director Dan Guerrero issued a statement Friday that says the
school is "extremely disappointed" by the NCAA's decision. The Bruins reportedly
had hoped the fact that the financial adviser in question is a longtime family
friend of Muhammad and his parents would lead the NCAA to reach a different
decision.
"The University and our compliance staff have fully cooperated with the NCAA
throughout this entire period, and we believe the decision is incorrect and
unjust to Shabazz," Guerrero said. "UCLA will expeditiously pursue its options
to challenge this determination. When a final resolution has been reached by the
NCAA, we will swiftly communicate the news to the entire Bruin family."
Guerrero's use of words like "finally," "incorrect" and "unjust" surely stems
as much from his displeasure with the timing of the NCAA's announcement as the
fact that Muhammad cannot play.
UCLA spent $136 million renovating Pauley Pavilion and hoped that Friday
night's game would be a celebration of a new building and a new era. Instead
that will be overshadowed by the absence of a player touted as the best freshman
to come to UCLA since Kevin Love and a potential top five pick in next June's
NBA draft.
The NCAA defended the timing of its announcement by noting that it requested
specific documents on July 31 and did not receive the majority of the
information it needed until September or October.
"After reviewing thousands of pages of information, the NCAA interviewed
Muhammad's parents last week," the NCAA's statement read. "The staff and the
university then submitted the agreed-upon facts the afternoon of November 9. The
NCAA then rendered a decision within a matter of hours. As demonstrated by the
facts, we are committed to resolving the remaining matters as quickly as
possible."
UCLA student-athlete Shabazz Muhammad is not eligible to compete in tonight’s game due to violations of NCAA amateurism rules. In addition to other pending issues, Muhammad accepted travel and lodging during three unofficial visits to two NCAA member schools.
The university and the NCAA enforcement staff agreed on the set of facts in the case, which led to the determination that a violation occurred. NCAA member schools have established standards to determine when an individual may provide financial assistance to student-athletes. These criteria, which were not met in this case, are in place to identify when benefits are provided based on a student-athlete’s athletic ability.
The NCAA is committed to providing thorough, yet timely decisions regarding student-athlete eligibility. The expediency of these decisions can hinge on the level of timely cooperation of all involved parties.
In the case of Muhammad, the NCAA staff requested specific documents on July 31 to assist in the evaluation of Muhammad’s eligibility. However, the NCAA enforcement staff did not receive the majority of the requested documents for review until September 25, followed by more information on October 10, and the staff was granted access to additional important information on November 1.
After reviewing thousands of pages of information, the NCAA interviewed Muhammad’s parents last week. The staff and the university then submitted the agreed-upon facts the afternoon of November 9. The NCAA then rendered a decision within a matter of hours. As demonstrated by the facts, we are committed to resolving the remaining matters as quickly as possible.
November 9, 2012 7:33 AM GMT
Updated: 11/08/2012 11:33:00 PM PST
Noah Allen had conversations with UCLA in the past, but he didn't take them too seriously.
"I had spoken to them," Allen said. "But I'm not a top 5 blue chipper. I just did not think UCLA was interested in me as a basketball player."
Not true.
"I think he made an impression with them in July," Palma coach Paul Alioto said. "Here is a big wing that can shoot it. He changed their view of him. The UCLA coach saw him play in person and really liked him."
The feeling was mutual the minute Allen arrived on campus last weekend on a recruiting trip. Before he left Los Angeles, the senior forward verbally committed to become a Bruin.
"It's just a feeling when you find the right place," Allen said. "The tradition of this program goes so far back. UCLA develops players and gets them better each year. It was a pretty easy decision."
The 6-foot-7 Allen had been through this process before, originally committing to Harvard in July. But when the finances didn't come through, he was forced to decommit in September, leaving him without a college.
"I'm not going to lie, I was disappointed," Allen said. "But everything happens for a reason. When one door closes, another opens."
With the summer season gone and no chance to showcase himself in front of college coaches and recruiters, Allen decided to make a few calls on his own.
"I had to be open to whoever else might be interested," Allen said. "There was a little anxiety. I wasn't sure where I was going. But I didn't want to drag it out into the season."
The 17-year-old sharpshooter landed recruiting trips to Washington State and Northwestern. And while both left an impression on him, Allen left without signing.
"Washington State was real appealing," Allen said. "The fan base up there was crazy. Northwestern's academics are great. They are in the Big 10 and were right outside Chicago."
When prized recruits started making decisions, more schools began looking for prospects — opening more doors for Allen, as well as scholarship offers.
"When some schools didn't land who they wanted, my phone started ringing a lot more," Allen said.
That included a call from UCLA assistant coach Phil Matthews, who asked Allen to come down for a visit last weekend.
"I was a little shocked, but excited," said Allen, a four-year starter for the Chieftains and last year's Herald Player of the Year in basketball.
If the school's tradition didn't sell Allen, a comment from UCLA head coach Ben Howland did.
"He told me I can play here, that he believes in my abilities," Allen said. "Now I have to believe in myself. It's going to take some work. I'm willing to put in the time. I want to develop."
Alioto agreed.
"What will make Noah good at the next level is he doesn't need to score 20 to make an impact," Alioto said. "He can make plays for other guys. That's what's going to make him effective at UCLA. He's the most skilled player at his age I've ever had."
That includes current Indiana Pacers rookie guard Orlando Johnson, who played under Alioto at Palma before becoming a record-setting scorer at UC Santa Barbara.
"Noah can score with a deep shot and has a good midrange jumper," Alioto said. "What he needs to learn is to live at the free throw line. He needs to go to the lane and get to the line."
During his visit, Allen spent time with the current core of Bruins, which includes the top recruiting freshman class in the nation.
"It was cool," Allen said. "They all want you to come to their school. They show you a good time."
While Allen has played all five positions at Palma, he was recruited as a small forward for UCLA, which finished 19-14 last year — 11-7 in the Pac-12.
"I will have to come in with a chip on my shoulder and show them something," Allen said.
While Allen is regarded as a perimeter shooter, he patterns his game after Magic Johnson and current Golden State point guard Stephen Curry.
"I like the way Magic passed the ball," Allen said. "I like to pass. I'd rather have 10 to 15 assists than 25 points. I have always felt that way."
Last season, Allen averaged six-plus assists and six rebounds a game.
"I remember in the seventh grade, he'd pass up 3-foot shots," Alioto said. "It would drive me bananas. He's so good off the dribble. If you press him, he's big enough to throw the 50-foot pass on the line. I think you'll see him attack the rim more. He's not a selfish player. But he needs to score for us."
Last year, Allen averaged more than 18 points a game, including 23-plus in his final eight games, helping Palma reach the Central Coast Section Division IV semifinals.
"I just want to win CCS," Allen said. "That's been our team goal since my freshman year. I realize I can't do it on my own. You need five guys on the court to win a championship. We have guys excited about basketball."
Allen didn't want the recruiting process being a distraction to the Chieftains' goals during the season.
"I wanted to get this done before the basketball season started," Allen said. "I told all the schools that. I think they understood. I didn't plan on going through this process twice. I'm definitely relieved that it's over."
John Devine can be reached at 646-4405 or jdevine@montereyherald.com. Follow him on twitter @johnjdevine.
By George Watkins
TheCalifornian.com
9:11 PM, Nov. 8, 2012
Noah Allen, who was hitting 3-point shots and dunking in the same games at the varsity level as a freshman, has made a verbal commitment to UCLA.
Allen, a 6-foot-7 Palma High senior who was The Salinas Californian’s basketball Player of the Year in Monterey County last season, will sign his letter-of-intent after the Thanksgiving Day break.
Allen will be one of four Palma students signing athletic scholarships at the same time — two others for baseball and one for golf.
According to Allen, Washington State and Northwestern were also in the running until the Bruins flew him and his mom to Southern California last weekend.
“When they fly your family down there you know they’re interested,” Allen said.
Allen is the first Monterey County player to sign with a Pac-12 school since Donnell Harris of North Salinas High accepted a scholarship to the University of Arizona in 1994.
The UCLA scholarship is on a year-by-year basis, but Allen looks at it as more of a challenge than a risk.
“I’m going down there and play like I have a chip on my shoulder,” Allen said. “I’m not a top-five guy so I know I have something to prove. That’s why I’ve put in all this work.”
It wasn’t unusual to find Allen shooting baskets alone in the Palma gym to well after 11 p.m. some nights.
“He’s dedicated himself to being the best he can be,” Palma coach Paul Alioto said. “UCLA is a validation of his efforts. He’s in our gym at night and on weekends on his own.”
Allen led the Tri-County Athletic League in scoring last year at 18 points per game and was second in scoring as a sophomore at 17.5 per game.
“He’s the best passer I’ve ever coached,” Alioto said. “He could be taking 30 or 40 shots per game if he wanted to. But when he’s surrounded by two or three players he gives the ball up. He really handles the ball well. That’s why he’s our point guard.”
Allen admitted he’s too young to fully realize what a powerful force and tradition UCLA had in basketball during the John Wooden era, “But my dad knows,” he said.
The Bruins, ranked No. 13 in this year’s pre-season poll, have won 11 national championships, with the last one coming in 1994-95.
UCLA finished 19-14 last season.
Allen was the T-CAL Freshman of the Year in 2010, the Sophomore of the Year in 2011 and league MVP last season.
He opted not to play football this year for the first time in his high school career, allowing him to get a fresh start to the basketball season.
“I miss football,” Allen said. “But I’ll be in better shape for basketball.”
Allen is following the same strategy used by another Palma great, Orlando Johnson. Johnson also gave up football to concentrate on basketball his senior year and nearly doubled his scoring in the process.
He went from 14.5 points per game as a junior to 26.6 as a senior in 2007.
Johnson was the 36th player taken in the June NBA draft by the Sacramento Kings, who then traded him to the Indiana Pacers.
“I’m glad the recruiting is over,” Allen said. “Now I can focus on school and basketball.”
LOS ANGELES -- UCLA freshman Kyle Anderson on Friday expressed relief and excitement at the news he had been cleared to play this season after a lengthy NCAA investigation.
Anderson, a 6-foot-9 guard, spoke to reporters after an event to celebrate the re-opening of Pauley Pavilion for the first time since the NCAA cleared him on Wednesday. The NCAA was looking into his family's relationship with NBA agent Thad Foucher, but found no violations.
"I got a lot of load off my shoulders being able to play next Friday so I'm pretty excited, actually," Anderson said after an exhibition event to celebrate the re-opening of Pauley Pavilion. "To hear such great news about me being able to be out there with my team next week, it was great. I can't describe how happy I was."
The investigation had been going for at least three months and those involved had expected him to be cleared nearly two months before he was. Anderson said he finally found out Wednesday morning when he was summoned to the athletic department offices.
"I thought I was in trouble," Anderson said. "But it actually turned out to be the exact opposite and I was very happy. I was very excited."
He said he wasn't given any indication about why the process took so long and that it was a bit of an emotional roller coaster waiting for a decision.
"I didn't know what to think about it," he said. "I was just ready for anything and let the chips fall. I'm happy to be out there now and happy to be able to play next Friday."
Anderson will be a welcome presence when the Bruins open their season No. 9 against Indiana State. He is a versatile guard who can play every position on the floor because of his combination of size and ball handling ability.
He was rated the No. 5 prospect in the nation coming out of high school last season and is a major reason why UCLA is ranked No. 13 in the preseason Associated Press poll.
"It's a big relief," center Joshua Smith said. "We've been practicing and to have questions like that it's kind of like the 'what if' game. Maybe he plays and maybe not and for him to get cleared is a big thing. Now he knows that he doesn't have to worry about anything with the NCAA right now and he can play and just be focused."
Next up is Shabazz Muhammad, the consensus high school player of the year last year who is the subject of a separate NCAA review and has yet to be cleared. Muhammad was present at the event Friday, but was not made available to the media.
He strained his shoulder, but participated in warm-up drills and dunked several times. Coach Ben Howland said he is "not that far away" physically. Still, nobody knows if he will be cleared or not in time for UCLA's opener. The Bruins are preparing as if he will not be available.
"That's how it is right now," Smith said. "When we get the news from him we'll go from there but right now we're playing as if he can't play."
Muhammad's investigation is more complex, involving financial dealings with his club team and possible improper benefits during recruiting. Investigators are said to be sorting through thousands of pages of financial documents and were scheduled to interview Muhammad's parents today, a source said.
Anderson said the only advice he has for Muhammad is to stay patient and hope for the best.
"It's just up to him to stay strong through this," Anderson said. "I'm sure everything is going to work out."
For the latest news on UCLA, check out ESPN Los Angeles' blog on the Bruins.