Windward's Jules Bernard commits to UCLA
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10, 2017 | eric sondheimer | THE L.A. TIMES | ARTICLE LINK
"This journey started when I was 4 years old," Windward's Jules Bernard said on a video released Tuesday as he announced a commitment to UCLA.
He ended it with, "This is where I'm from and this is where I'm going to stay."
You certainly have to say Bernard is pretty loyal. He has stayed at Windward for six years and didn't leave when the Wildcats had coaching issues and others did leave.
Now he's staying close to home by picking the Bruins. He's the latest from the Compton Magic AAU program to land at UCLA.
He's a wing player who averaged 25.3 points as a junior for Windward. He also averaged 13.7 rebounds. He's 6 feet 7, athletic and versatile.
He's the second player from the class of 2018 to commit to UCLA, joining guard David Singleton of Bishop Montgomery.
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11, 2017 | cam smith | usa today | ARTICLE LINK
It’s still early, but UCLA’s recruiting class for the Class of 2018 is officially heating up after the commitment of four-star shooting guard Jules Bernard.
For Bernard, the decision was easy. The Bruins represent a hometown option for one of the nation’s top-50 overall recruits. They also represent an opportunity to team up with four-star guard David Singleton III. Like Bernard, Singleton III hails from Southern California and was drawn to UCLA by its prestige and coach Steve Alford willingness to play a talented freshman.
Of course, given the ongoing investigations into college basketball recruiting and improper benefits for players, it’s also at least possible that Los Angeles Windward School star Bernard’s decision was driven by a deep desire to avoid any program that could be implicated in the ever-expanded probe.
Here are the other schools Bernard listed as finalists: Kansas, Miami, Oregon and USC. We already know that both Miami and USC are under investigation for their own actions related to recruiting and athlete benefits. It’s unknown if Kansas or Oregon could face similar charges and penalties in the months ahead, or UCLA for that matter.
UCLA has thus far skated free from any significant connection with scandal, and to be fair the school’s new uniform contract could not have come any sooner (or better). The team’s first season as an Under Armour school is apparently coinciding with the brand’s skating outside the blast radius of the ongoing scandal.
Whatever the reason, Bernard is in the fold for UCLA, and that’s very good news for Alford and UCLA fans everywhere.
4-Star SG Prospect Jules Bernard Commits to UCLA over Kansas, Miami, More
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10, 2017 | rob goldberg | bleacher report | post LINK
Jules Bernard is headed to UCLA after the shooting guard announced his commitment Tuesday.
Bernard told Evan Daniels of Scout.com about his decision to play for the Bruins starting in 2018.
"I chose to commit to UCLA because I think it's a perfect fit for me," Bernard said. "I think the coaching staff is one that I've created a great relationship with. They've put so much time and effort into recruiting me and believing in my game."
247Sports lists the 4-star prospect as the No. 46 overall player in the 2018 class, including the sixth-best shooting guard. He is also the No. 6 player from California.
Bernard succeeds offensively thanks to his athleticism and size at 6'6". He has good enough handles to penetrate into the lane, and he gets high enough to finish over most defenders.
His creativity is also useful once he gets near the basket.
While his slashing ability is his best attribute, the wing can also fill up the box score with his passing, rebounding and defense.
He could still improve his outside shot to make him a more dangerous scorer, but he already has the skill set to make him a quality contributor.
Bernard also knows what he needs to do physically to reach his lofty goal.
"I still have room to grow—strength-wise—and it shows me more I have to grow to be an NBA-caliber player," he said after spending time with Denver Nuggets guard Jamal Murray, per Drew Ruiz of Slam.
If he develops like he should, he has a chance to play in the NBA.
UCLA has shown it can produce NBA talent over the years, most recently with Lonzo Ball, and the Los Angeles native will try to be the next in line.
In the meantime, Bernard will be a quality two-way player who can provide a big help to the Bruins over the next few seasons.
UCLA adds a second wing scorer in Jules Bernard
Top 50 ranked prospect Jules Bernard joins four-star David Singleton in the UCLA 2018 recruiting class, giving the Bruins a formidable wing scoring duo.
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10, 2017 | jerry meyer | 247sports.com | post LINK
Ranked No. 46 in the 247Sports Composite, Bernard is a 6-6 wing out of Los Angeles (Calif.) Windward School. He is a natural scorer with a solid all around game and a great feel for the game.
At 6-4 and ranked No. 58 in the 247Sports Composite, Singleton is a top wing scorer as well.
The pair give UCLA the No. 25 ranked class in the 247Sports Composite Recruiting Rankings.
The Bruins are also targeting power forward Jordan Brown, Kevin Zhang, Zion Williamson and others.
UCLA lands 4-star SG Jules Bernard
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10, 2017 | raphielle johnson | NBCsports.com | ARTICLE LINK
UCLA received its second verbal commitment in the Class of 2018 on Tuesday, as 6-foot-6 shooting guard Jules Bernard announced that he will be a Bruin. Bernard, considered to be a four-star prospect, joins another perimeter prospect in four-star guard David Singleton III in Steve Alford’s 2018 class to date.
Bernard, who averaged 25 points and 12 rebounds per game at the Winward School in Los Angeles, was also a standout for the Compton Magic grassroots program on the adidas Uprising circuit.
“This has been a humbling and amazing journey over the last few years,” Bernard said in the release. “I’ve been fortunate to have met some special people who have taught me, mentored me, molded me, and guided me. I would like to thank all the college coaches and schools that believed in me, recruited me, and those who put time and effort into getting to know me and my family. I am excited and honored to continue my education and growth as a basketball player in my hometown at UCLA.”
Bernard’s size and versatility makes him a good addition to the UCLA program, which does not lack for young talent on the perimeter. This year’s team has four freshmen among its perimeter players, including point guard Jaylen Hands, shooting guard LiAngelo Ball and wings Kris Wilkes and Chris Smith.
UCLA also has three returnees on the perimeter from last season’s Sweet 16 team, junior Aaron Holiday and redshirt sophomores Prince Al and Alex Oleshinski. Ali, who averaged 3.9 points in just under 12 minutes per game as a freshman, sat out last season after undergoing offseason knee surgery to repair a torn meniscus in his left knee.
