westwoodwizardry/youtube
Thanks to sydbruin for posting this on BZ.
Interview with Lazeric Jones, UCLA's Starting Point Guard
by Brett Pierce
BruinsBall.com
Published on 10-09-2011 09:00 PM
Here is a BruinsBall.com exclusive interview with UCLA Starting Point Guard, Lazeric Jones.
How was your offseason?
Lazeric Jones: The offseason went great. I did a lot of rehab. I’ve been working pretty hard.
What specifically were you doing to train?
Lazeric Jones: Just worked on a lot of ball screen things, a lot of jump shots, ‘cause this year we’re going to dump the ball off to our best shooters, so I need to be ready to sometimes take that shot. I worked on really mentally trying to get myself ready for this year. I know I’m going to have to lead the team. So really, I’ve been trying to work hard on my mental and physical game.
How was playing with a lot of your teammates in the Say No League?
Lazeric Jones: That went really good because it gave me a chance to not only work on the offense that I’ve been working on this summer, but also to see the new guys. I got to see how they’ve been working out, and to give them a little guidance.
How was Norman Powell playing?
Lazeric Jones: He’s a really good player. Norman’s gonna be really good. He’s a great talent. He is very athletic; he shoots the ball really well. Norman’s gonna have a great freshman year.
Is your wrist completely healed now?
Lazeric Jones: Yeah, completely healed. I had to do rehab for it. I was good within 10 weeks of my rehab, and then I had to start working out for the summer.
How much did that wrist injury really affect your play last year?
Lazeric Jones: A whole lot. Really, my game is as a slasher, so it kind of threw me off a little bit as far as getting to the basket. Defensively it didn’t hinder me, but offensively it definitely did. It threw off my shot a little bit. I mean, it really was a freshman year, so that year kind of helped me mentally, and I feel having gone through that year and getting through it without quitting, without giving up, it definitely made me a stronger person.
I’ve been hearing that you now look like a completely different player since you’ve healed from the injury, and that we can expect some big things from you this season. What are your individual and team goals this year?
Lazeric Jones: Right now, my individual goal is to do whatever I have to do to get to the national title. I feel like we have a really great team and we need someone who can be the leader and do all the little things to get us there. We have great individual talent at every position, and backups at every position so I need to be the best I can be and be the best teammate I can be. I feel like if I can do that, this team is definitely going to win numerous championships.
Is this a better team than the team last season?
Lazeric Jones: We lost a lot, but we definitely gained a lot. Rebounding-wise we’ll be a better team; defensively we may be a better team. We lost our best defender but our team defensively will be better. I think we’ll be great.
Who has really impressed you with their play this offseason?
Lazeric Jones: Our whole team has done really well. The twins, they’ve really been good. The thing, honestly, is how they go up against the pros. I see how our team never backs down. It’s definitely a tougher team than last year. It’s hard to say that there is one individual that showed me more than I figured they would. I feel like everyone worked pretty hard, so everything that is coming from the players, they deserve it.
You mentioned that you played with pros this summer. Who did you play against and how did that help you prepare for the season?
Lazeric Jones: The pros that helped me this summer were Earl Watson, he helped me out a lot again this summer, as he has done before. Baron Davis helped me, and Russell Westbrook [too]. I played against OJ Mayo. Those guys showed me a lot of things. Seeing how they worked, and every day they come into the gym they’re going to come at you, and I knew how to run it. I think that really gave me a different mind-set going into next year.
Monday, October 10, 2011
Sunday, October 9, 2011
UCLA basketball: Dominic Artis decommits but might yet be a Bruin
Thanks to sydbruin for posting this on BZ.
UCLA basketball: Dominic Artis decommits but might yet be a Bruin
by Ben Bolch
The Los Angeles Times
October 7, 2011 | 2:15pm
What was shaping up as one of the nation's top recruiting classes took a hit when Dominic Artis, a highly touted point guard from Henderson (Nev.) Findlay Prep, withdrew his commitment to UCLA and reopened his recruitment, according to his mother, Tamera Davis.
"He still loves UCLA and I would say really they're still his favorites," Davis said. "He just wanted to make sure he was making the right decision and take a step back for a minute."
The Bruins still have commitments from Kyle Anderson, a 6-foot-8 standout from Jersey City (N.J.) St. Anthony who can also play point guard, and shooting guard Jordan Adams of Mouth of Wilson (Va.) Oak Hill Academy. They are also still in the hunt for Shabazz Muhammad, the Las Vegas Bishop Gorman star who is the consensus top prep player in the Class of 2012, and big man Tony Parker.
Davis said the recent commitment of Anderson did not influence her son's change of heart. She also said Bruins coaches continued to pursue her son, who was also interested in California and Oregon, among other schools. UCLA coaches cannot comment on recruits until they sign letters of intent.
Davis said she hoped her son would make his college choice during the early signing period that starts next month.
"We would like to not take a while to decide," Davis said, "but you obviously don't want to rush into anything else."
by Ben Bolch
The Los Angeles Times
October 7, 2011 | 2:15pm
What was shaping up as one of the nation's top recruiting classes took a hit when Dominic Artis, a highly touted point guard from Henderson (Nev.) Findlay Prep, withdrew his commitment to UCLA and reopened his recruitment, according to his mother, Tamera Davis.
"He still loves UCLA and I would say really they're still his favorites," Davis said. "He just wanted to make sure he was making the right decision and take a step back for a minute."
The Bruins still have commitments from Kyle Anderson, a 6-foot-8 standout from Jersey City (N.J.) St. Anthony who can also play point guard, and shooting guard Jordan Adams of Mouth of Wilson (Va.) Oak Hill Academy. They are also still in the hunt for Shabazz Muhammad, the Las Vegas Bishop Gorman star who is the consensus top prep player in the Class of 2012, and big man Tony Parker.
Davis said the recent commitment of Anderson did not influence her son's change of heart. She also said Bruins coaches continued to pursue her son, who was also interested in California and Oregon, among other schools. UCLA coaches cannot comment on recruits until they sign letters of intent.
Davis said she hoped her son would make his college choice during the early signing period that starts next month.
"We would like to not take a while to decide," Davis said, "but you obviously don't want to rush into anything else."
Saturday, October 8, 2011
I hope Dominic Artis sees that UCLA is good for him in the long run
NothingButKicks+yayareasfinest+courtcred/You Tube
yayareasfinest/You Tube
The guys in front of him at the PG position in 2012 (Kyle Anderson, Larry Drew II, D'End Parker) are not going to be at UCLA for long.
Plus, "Slow-Mo" will be playing other positions besides PG. As such, there are several options where Dom, Kyle and Larry Drew II can play together or back each other up when the other is out for a blow or because of foul trouble.
And you know what they say, "tournament time is guard time." Having great ball handlers bodes well for a deep run come March.
If Dominic sticks it out like Darren Collison did (who also had to play second fiddle to other guards), I think it will be better for him in the long run. See what happen to DC.
Finally, it's all about competing. If Dominic thinks he is a great PG (and judging from all those You Tube videos, he looks like he has the tools to be one), he should not shy away from competing "day in" and "day out" against other great guards.
Please come back, Dominic.
yayareasfinest/You Tube
The guys in front of him at the PG position in 2012 (Kyle Anderson, Larry Drew II, D'End Parker) are not going to be at UCLA for long.
Plus, "Slow-Mo" will be playing other positions besides PG. As such, there are several options where Dom, Kyle and Larry Drew II can play together or back each other up when the other is out for a blow or because of foul trouble.
And you know what they say, "tournament time is guard time." Having great ball handlers bodes well for a deep run come March.
If Dominic sticks it out like Darren Collison did (who also had to play second fiddle to other guards), I think it will be better for him in the long run. See what happen to DC.
Finally, it's all about competing. If Dominic thinks he is a great PG (and judging from all those You Tube videos, he looks like he has the tools to be one), he should not shy away from competing "day in" and "day out" against other great guards.
Please come back, Dominic.
Thursday, October 6, 2011
NBA lockout leaves drafted players in basketball limbo
NBA lockout leaves drafted players in basketball limbo
Many thought they'd be experiencing the NBA lifestyle by now, but they're just scraping by on tight budgets.
By Ben Bolch
The Los Angeles Times
October 05, 2011
They are going to class, taking out loans and renting instead of buying.
Is this the NBA lifestyle?
"It's like I'm still a college student," said Malcolm Lee, the former UCLA guard and now-in-limbo Minnesota Timberwolves rookie. "It's the same life. No income checks are coming in, none of that good stuff that comes with being in the NBA."
Lee is living in a Los Angeles apartment, working out in Westwood and driving what he called "my little car from college." It's almost as if he's still a Bruin, except for the lack of eligibility after being selected in the second round of the NBA draft four months ago.
Andrew Goudelock remains a Cougar, at least in the classroom. The Lakers rookie is completing course work toward his sociology degree at the College of Charleston in South Carolina, where he was a standout combo guard the last four years.
"People are surprised when they see me," Goudelock said. "They are like, 'Oh, my God. Why aren't you with the Lakers?' "
At this point, it might require divine intervention for Goudelock to set foot in Staples Center any time soon.
On Tuesday labor talks broke down. The NBA canceled the preseason and said it would also cancel the first two weeks of the regular season if there is no collective bargaining agreement in place by Monday.
With the NBA lockout in its fourth month, first-year players are wondering when they will finally get to cash their first checks and trade in their budget lifestyles for five-star hotels, chartered jets and catered postgame meals.
Newly minted Lakers rookie Darius Morris soon could be among the lucky few to enjoy a taste of NBA life. The former Michigan and Los Angeles Windward High guard said he was on the verge of signing a sponsorship deal with Nike that could help sustain him financially until the lockout ends.
In the meantime, Morris might take his talents … to Mexico City. It would be part of a two-game exhibition tour this month in which NBA players would also teach basketball skills to children.
Morris said he learned how to live on a tight budget in the dorms at Michigan. He didn't think his lifestyle would be much different than what it would have been had the lockout been averted because he would have been trying to conserve money anyway.
"At this stage in my career," Morris said, "I'm trying to save all that I get."
The one exception, Morris concedes, is that he would have purchased a residence instead of renting an apartment.
Lee said his agent, Mitch Frankel, is fronting him money for housing and meal expenses. Frankel advised Lee to be frugal with his finances, Lee said. So he has resisted the urge to buy a new car.
"You can't have an NBA mind-set without NBA financial income, so our mentality is still like a college student living-wise," Lee said. "I'm not going to buy something I really can't afford."
Goudelock said he had to take out a loan to help cover expenses even though he is working as a personal trainer in addition to taking classes.
If you think locked-out life has left the rookies mildly depressed, you're right. Sort of.
"Honestly, sometimes you think about out of all the years, why is this the year that I have a good shot to come into the NBA and now we get the lockout?" Morris said. "But you have to start thinking positive because you don't want to get too down."
Goudelock said he is glad he can work toward, if not complete, his college degree. Morris said he likes having extra time to work on areas that Lakers management asked him to address after post-draft workouts: his muscle tone, three-point shooting and floaters that can help him score over NBA big men.
Not that it's an easy endeavor. Morris goes through upper- and lower-body weight workouts and sprints on the Manhattan Beach sand dunes each Tuesday and Thursday. He also makes 1,000 shots twice a week and has played in pickup games at Manhattan Beach Mira Costa High with other NBA players.
The rookies will keep playing, even if the games don't count.
Former UCLA small forward Tyler Honeycutt, who is waiting to start his career with the Sacramento Kings, played in an exhibition for first-year NBA players late last month in Provo, Utah. The opposing team's roster included Kawhi Leonard, the former Riverside King High and San Diego State star who was drafted by Indiana Pacers and traded to the San Antonio Spurs.
Rookie Nikola Vucevic will make his season debut this week, though it won't be for the Philadelphia 76ers. The first-round pick from USC will play for KK Buducnost Podgorica in his home country of Montenegro, though the 6-foot-10 forward has an opt-out clause should the NBA resume play.
Lee said he would also be willing to play abroad if the lockout lingers.
"One hundred percent I would think about playing overseas if there's no season," Lee said. "You might as well. There's nothing else to do."
Many thought they'd be experiencing the NBA lifestyle by now, but they're just scraping by on tight budgets.
By Ben Bolch
The Los Angeles Times
October 05, 2011
They are going to class, taking out loans and renting instead of buying.
Is this the NBA lifestyle?
Lee is living in a Los Angeles apartment, working out in Westwood and driving what he called "my little car from college." It's almost as if he's still a Bruin, except for the lack of eligibility after being selected in the second round of the NBA draft four months ago.
Andrew Goudelock remains a Cougar, at least in the classroom. The Lakers rookie is completing course work toward his sociology degree at the College of Charleston in South Carolina, where he was a standout combo guard the last four years.
"People are surprised when they see me," Goudelock said. "They are like, 'Oh, my God. Why aren't you with the Lakers?' "
At this point, it might require divine intervention for Goudelock to set foot in Staples Center any time soon.
On Tuesday labor talks broke down. The NBA canceled the preseason and said it would also cancel the first two weeks of the regular season if there is no collective bargaining agreement in place by Monday.
With the NBA lockout in its fourth month, first-year players are wondering when they will finally get to cash their first checks and trade in their budget lifestyles for five-star hotels, chartered jets and catered postgame meals.
Newly minted Lakers rookie Darius Morris soon could be among the lucky few to enjoy a taste of NBA life. The former Michigan and Los Angeles Windward High guard said he was on the verge of signing a sponsorship deal with Nike that could help sustain him financially until the lockout ends.
In the meantime, Morris might take his talents … to Mexico City. It would be part of a two-game exhibition tour this month in which NBA players would also teach basketball skills to children.
Morris said he learned how to live on a tight budget in the dorms at Michigan. He didn't think his lifestyle would be much different than what it would have been had the lockout been averted because he would have been trying to conserve money anyway.
"At this stage in my career," Morris said, "I'm trying to save all that I get."
The one exception, Morris concedes, is that he would have purchased a residence instead of renting an apartment.
Lee said his agent, Mitch Frankel, is fronting him money for housing and meal expenses. Frankel advised Lee to be frugal with his finances, Lee said. So he has resisted the urge to buy a new car.
"You can't have an NBA mind-set without NBA financial income, so our mentality is still like a college student living-wise," Lee said. "I'm not going to buy something I really can't afford."
Goudelock said he had to take out a loan to help cover expenses even though he is working as a personal trainer in addition to taking classes.
If you think locked-out life has left the rookies mildly depressed, you're right. Sort of.
"Honestly, sometimes you think about out of all the years, why is this the year that I have a good shot to come into the NBA and now we get the lockout?" Morris said. "But you have to start thinking positive because you don't want to get too down."
Goudelock said he is glad he can work toward, if not complete, his college degree. Morris said he likes having extra time to work on areas that Lakers management asked him to address after post-draft workouts: his muscle tone, three-point shooting and floaters that can help him score over NBA big men.
Not that it's an easy endeavor. Morris goes through upper- and lower-body weight workouts and sprints on the Manhattan Beach sand dunes each Tuesday and Thursday. He also makes 1,000 shots twice a week and has played in pickup games at Manhattan Beach Mira Costa High with other NBA players.
The rookies will keep playing, even if the games don't count.
Rookie Nikola Vucevic will make his season debut this week, though it won't be for the Philadelphia 76ers. The first-round pick from USC will play for KK Buducnost Podgorica in his home country of Montenegro, though the 6-foot-10 forward has an opt-out clause should the NBA resume play.
Lee said he would also be willing to play abroad if the lockout lingers.
"One hundred percent I would think about playing overseas if there's no season," Lee said. "You might as well. There's nothing else to do."
Dominic Artis Decommits From UCLA
by Brett Pierce
bruinsball.com
Published on 10-06-2011 12:45 AM
Dominic Artis, one of the top point guards in the nation and No. 72 player overall according to ESPN, has decommited to UCLA.
Derrick Artis, Dominic's uncle, told Jeff Borzello about the decision.
“He felt like he rushed into his commitment,” Artis said. “Still loves UCLA and they are the top of his list, but he wants to make sure he is making the right decision.”
It can be assumed that Kyle Anderson's commitment to UCLA a couple of weeks ago influenced Artis' decision. While Anderson is not a pure point guard, he would surely take some minutes away from Artis.
Right now, it appears that Cal, Oregon, and Washington, along with UCLA, are in play for Artis' services.
This is a big de-commitment, as Artis was supposed to be UCLA's point guard of the future.
Sunday, October 2, 2011
Back to School
mbahamoute12video/youtube
Luc d's up Kobe and steals ball for a breakaway dunk
PolishJim/youtube
Luc blocks LeBron's shot
Lakersfanis/youtube
Thanks, HowlandWood, for sharing this article on BZ.
Back to School
By Paul Feinberg '85
UCLA Magazine
Published Sep 19, 2011 12:00 PM
Luc Richard Mbah a Moute in Bruin colors. Photo courtesy of UCLA Athletics.
The level of basketball talent playing at UCLA under Head Coach Ben Howland is as high as it gets in the college ranks, so high, in fact, that nine of the players from the past five years have left school with eligibility remaining, opting out of college to take their talents to the National Basketball Association.
But this off-season, as the NBA's owners have "locked out" the players in their stalled collective bargaining negotiations, a number of former Bruin stars, including several who were instrumental in taking UCLA to three consecutive Final Fours from 2006-2008, have seized the chance to return to school.
Trevor Ariza, Russell Westbrook, Kevin Love and Luc Richard Mbah a Moute are the Howland players back in class. Baron Davis (who played for Steve Lavin) and Ed O'Bannon (hero of the '95 Jim Harrick–led championship team) also took classes this summer. (Arron Afflalo, the Denver Nuggets player rep, reportedly wanted to return, but his union responsibilities took precedence.) This is the second summer Westbrook has taken classes and would be the third if he (and Love) had not played for the U.S. national team last summer.
"It's great to be back on campus, but it feels a little weird to be back in class," says Cameroon native Mbah a Moute, who spent three years at UCLA as an international development major before becoming a Milwaukee Buck. Always a top student, he admits it was a challenge to get back into the routine. "It was tough at first, getting used to taking notes, going to office hours, working with my classmates. But once I caught up, I got back into my old habits."
The pros' return this summer began when Ariza and Davis separately contacted Kenny Donaldson, UCLA's assistant director of academic services. Donaldson, who works with men's basketball, found that the two had left in good academic standing, and he set about registering them for summer school. He then reached out to some of the others.
Donaldson is impressed with everyone's dedication. "They are all paying for classes out of their own pocket; they are no longer on scholarship," he says. "A lot of them would like to take fall classes, but it will depend on the lockout and whether or not they get an opportunity to play overseas."
"For all of us, playing in the NBA is something you dream about, and when the opportunity presents itself you have to take advantage. A lot of us have families to take care of," says Mbah a Moute about why so many players have left Howland's program early. "But UCLA is the best school in the country; we all feel that way. I'm really excited to be back in school and really want to knock out my remaining [four] classes and graduate."
Luc d's up Kobe and steals ball for a breakaway dunk
PolishJim/youtube
Luc blocks LeBron's shot
Lakersfanis/youtube
Thanks, HowlandWood, for sharing this article on BZ.
Back to School
By Paul Feinberg '85
UCLA Magazine
Published Sep 19, 2011 12:00 PM
Luc Richard Mbah a Moute in Bruin colors. Photo courtesy of UCLA Athletics.
The level of basketball talent playing at UCLA under Head Coach Ben Howland is as high as it gets in the college ranks, so high, in fact, that nine of the players from the past five years have left school with eligibility remaining, opting out of college to take their talents to the National Basketball Association.
But this off-season, as the NBA's owners have "locked out" the players in their stalled collective bargaining negotiations, a number of former Bruin stars, including several who were instrumental in taking UCLA to three consecutive Final Fours from 2006-2008, have seized the chance to return to school.
Trevor Ariza, Russell Westbrook, Kevin Love and Luc Richard Mbah a Moute are the Howland players back in class. Baron Davis (who played for Steve Lavin) and Ed O'Bannon (hero of the '95 Jim Harrick–led championship team) also took classes this summer. (Arron Afflalo, the Denver Nuggets player rep, reportedly wanted to return, but his union responsibilities took precedence.) This is the second summer Westbrook has taken classes and would be the third if he (and Love) had not played for the U.S. national team last summer.
"It's great to be back on campus, but it feels a little weird to be back in class," says Cameroon native Mbah a Moute, who spent three years at UCLA as an international development major before becoming a Milwaukee Buck. Always a top student, he admits it was a challenge to get back into the routine. "It was tough at first, getting used to taking notes, going to office hours, working with my classmates. But once I caught up, I got back into my old habits."
The pros' return this summer began when Ariza and Davis separately contacted Kenny Donaldson, UCLA's assistant director of academic services. Donaldson, who works with men's basketball, found that the two had left in good academic standing, and he set about registering them for summer school. He then reached out to some of the others.
Donaldson is impressed with everyone's dedication. "They are all paying for classes out of their own pocket; they are no longer on scholarship," he says. "A lot of them would like to take fall classes, but it will depend on the lockout and whether or not they get an opportunity to play overseas."
"For all of us, playing in the NBA is something you dream about, and when the opportunity presents itself you have to take advantage. A lot of us have families to take care of," says Mbah a Moute about why so many players have left Howland's program early. "But UCLA is the best school in the country; we all feel that way. I'm really excited to be back in school and really want to knock out my remaining [four] classes and graduate."
Interview with UCLA Commit Dominic Artis
tracypierson/youtube
Prospect: Dominic Artis
High School Team: Las Vegas (Nev.) Findlay Prep
AAU Team: Oakland Soldiers
Class: 2012
Ranking: 95
Height: 5-11
Pos.: Point Guard
Schools Recruiting: Committed to UCLA.
Thanks to sydbruin for posting this on BZ.
Interview with UCLA Commit Dominic Artis
By Brett Pierce
BruinsBall.com
Published on 09-28-2011 05:00 PM
Here is a Bruinsball.com exclusive interview with 2012 UCLA Commit Dominic Artis. Artis is the No. 52 player overall and the No. 8 point guard nationally according to Rivals.com.
Talk a little bit about how your AAU season went.
Dominic Artis: I had a lot of fun. We fell short in Vegas, but for the most part I had a lot of fun.
You really shot up through the rankings over summer. How did you work to improve your game?
Dominic Artis: I did a lot of stuff in the weight room, a lot of stuff with my Uncle just working out. We also went to a guy for strength training on Monday, Wednesday and Friday. I tried to get a lot of shots up; I worked on my legs a lot to try to get more explosive. Overall, I just put in a lot of work to reach the ultimate level I can be.
When did UCLA start coming on strong?
Dominic Artis: They really started coming hard after the EYBL in Los Angeles. That’s when Coach Howland started calling me a lot.
What sold you on UCLA?
Dominic Artis: It was a lot. The campus, for one, and Coach Howland is a real good guy. He’s a tremendous coach. The style of play, also, a lot of ball screens as well. Also when I went up there, all the players were real cool. Everybody seemed like they really got along. They had great team chemistry.
How do you like Findlay Prep?
Dominic Artis: I like it so far. Right now there’s a lot of conditioning, everybody is still getting in shape. So I like it so far.
How is it playing with such highly touted players?
Dominic Artis: It really makes my job a lot easier because whoever I give the ball to, it’s pretty much going to be an assist. It makes my job easier and keeps me in the flow of the game.
Who do you want to see fill out this UCLA class and are you recruiting any of those people?
Dominic Artis: Well, I would say Shabazz for one. Also, Anthony Bennett has been saying stuff about us. Tony Parker, as well. Tony is showing a lot of interest. He talked about it at the Global Games. Also, Shaq Goodwin. Those are the players Coach told me he was mainly going after.
What besides basketball are you most looking forward to at UCLA?
Dominic Artis: Meeting new people, and definitely the campus. Basically everything about the school.
Prospect: Dominic Artis
High School Team: Las Vegas (Nev.) Findlay Prep
AAU Team: Oakland Soldiers
Class: 2012
Ranking: 95
Height: 5-11
Pos.: Point Guard
Schools Recruiting: Committed to UCLA.
Thanks to sydbruin for posting this on BZ.
Interview with UCLA Commit Dominic Artis
By Brett Pierce
BruinsBall.com
Published on 09-28-2011 05:00 PM
Here is a Bruinsball.com exclusive interview with 2012 UCLA Commit Dominic Artis. Artis is the No. 52 player overall and the No. 8 point guard nationally according to Rivals.com.
Talk a little bit about how your AAU season went.
Dominic Artis: I had a lot of fun. We fell short in Vegas, but for the most part I had a lot of fun.
You really shot up through the rankings over summer. How did you work to improve your game?
Dominic Artis: I did a lot of stuff in the weight room, a lot of stuff with my Uncle just working out. We also went to a guy for strength training on Monday, Wednesday and Friday. I tried to get a lot of shots up; I worked on my legs a lot to try to get more explosive. Overall, I just put in a lot of work to reach the ultimate level I can be.
When did UCLA start coming on strong?
Dominic Artis: They really started coming hard after the EYBL in Los Angeles. That’s when Coach Howland started calling me a lot.
What sold you on UCLA?
Dominic Artis: It was a lot. The campus, for one, and Coach Howland is a real good guy. He’s a tremendous coach. The style of play, also, a lot of ball screens as well. Also when I went up there, all the players were real cool. Everybody seemed like they really got along. They had great team chemistry.
How do you like Findlay Prep?
Dominic Artis: I like it so far. Right now there’s a lot of conditioning, everybody is still getting in shape. So I like it so far.
How is it playing with such highly touted players?
Dominic Artis: It really makes my job a lot easier because whoever I give the ball to, it’s pretty much going to be an assist. It makes my job easier and keeps me in the flow of the game.
Who do you want to see fill out this UCLA class and are you recruiting any of those people?
Dominic Artis: Well, I would say Shabazz for one. Also, Anthony Bennett has been saying stuff about us. Tony Parker, as well. Tony is showing a lot of interest. He talked about it at the Global Games. Also, Shaq Goodwin. Those are the players Coach told me he was mainly going after.
What besides basketball are you most looking forward to at UCLA?
Dominic Artis: Meeting new people, and definitely the campus. Basically everything about the school.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)