Bruin Recruiting: Prep News Roundup (12/27)

By Bruin Basketball Report

Prep News Roundup is published every Monday. 

Commits

“We’d like to see (and play against) more of those Top 10 teams before and after Christmas,” said Bryant. “It’s the only way to get better. Defensively, we’ve shown we can play with these teams but offensively we’re still a little rusty. “You know though, kids like (UCLA signee) Norman Powell, they really don’t care about numbers.” Union Tribune 12/23

Recruits

Kyle Anderson’s excellent interior performance yesterday is unlikely to send college coaches scrambling to rework their recruiting pitches. The 6-8 junior already was widely considered one of the top young shooting guards in the nation. But Anderson’s ability to excel in every phase in the low post just may force upcoming opponents into some last-minute tinkering with the scouting report. Anderson, the former standout at now-closed Paterson Catholic, scored 23 points, collected 10 rebounds and added two steals to guide St. Anthony to a 62-50 victory over young, stubborn and very talented Gill St. Bernard’s at the Hoop Group Tip Off Classic at Seton Hall University, South Orange. NJ.com 12/19

Some consider Shabazz Muhammad to be the best high school junior basketball player in the country, yet the Las Vegas (Nev.) Bishop Gorman guard isn't even sure if he's the best athlete in the family. Muhammad's father, 6-foot-5 Ron Holmes, played basketball at USC. The genetics Muhammad inherited from his mom, Faye Muhammad, have come in handy as well. Faye Muhammad was a an elite high school basketball player and competed in that sport as well as in track and field in college at Long Beach State. Her brother, Stephone Paige, played wide receiver for the Kansas City Chiefs for 10 seasons in 1983-92. "My mom, she inspires me to play hard," Muhammad said. News Press 12/20

Gorman junior Shabazz Muhammad, the No. 1 shooting guard in the country according to ESPN, poured in a game-best 29 points. "I really wish we could have contained Shabazz a little better," Byrd said. "We tried, but that's just who he is." News Press 12/20

With Mater Dei up just 57-54 with 12.8 seconds, Cook scrapped and clawed to help the Monarchs retain possession. David Brown and Katin Reinhardt made five free throws in the final 1:10 to seal the win. Reinhardt led Mater Dei with 17 points while Brown added 13 and Xavier Johnson 11. News Press 12/21

Three major Division I college basketball coaches lined the first rows of the Berkeley High bleachers Tuesday, presumably to take a look at Bishop O'Dowd junior star Brandon Ashley. But with Ashley limited most of the first three quarters because of foul trouble, fellow junior standout Richard Longrus stole the show with an energetic 11-point, 12-rebound effort as the visiting Dragons cruised past previously unbeaten Berkeley 67-35....Cal's Mike Montgomery, Kansas' Bill Self and Washington's Lorenzo Romar were all in attendance, but Ashley picked up two fouls in the first minute and had just six points at halftime. But a strong night from the free-throw line -- he went 10 of 11 overall and 6 of 6 in the fourth quarter -- allowed Ashley to finish with a solid 14 points, five rebounds and three blocks. Contra Costa Times 12/21

What makes Shabazz Muhammad a player you can't miss? First, just watch the videos here. If that's not enough, know that scouts praise him as a terrific athlete who has the physical gifts to score both inside and outside. This is no undersized shooting guard, in fact, many reports indicate he will play small forward at the college level. Not only can he light up the scoreboard, but according to scouts, he's also a potential lockdown defender and excellent rebounder. Mass Live 12/22

Self has been not only coaching his team, but recruiting on this trip to California. Self on Tuesday attended a game of Brandon Ashley, a 6-8 junior power forward from Bishop O’Dowd High in Oakland. Ashley, the No. 6-prospect in the Class of 2012, had 14 points, five rebounds and three blocks in a win over previously unbeaten Berkeley High. The Contra Costa Times reported that Cal coach Mike Montgomery and Washington’s Lorenzo Romar also attended. KU Sports 12/23

Santa Ana (Calif.) Mater Dei juniors Katin Reinhardt and Xavier Johnson spoiled Winter Park senior guard Austin Rivers' final appearance in the State Farm City of Palms Classic on Wednesday. Reinhardt and Johnson combined for 54 points as Mater Dei blew out Winter Park 84-66 in the third-place game at Bishop Verot. Reinhardt had 28 points and Johnson had 26, including a highlight dunk over Rivers in the third quarter.  News Press 12/23

Comments

[BruinFan]

lets wait and see how our young Bruins mature this season and give coach next season as well...we are not going anywhere next yr w/ Lane, Stover and Anderson on the team...this isn't UNLV, this is UCLA...he needs those roster spots for some guards that are under the radar i.e. Westbrook...interesting to see how many games we lose on the road in the PAc 10 - SC will stuff us inside!!...thats another reason to be concerned...we lose the series to SC, he's on the hot seat....we just have to see....By the way, does CBH not teach free throws?? We are terrible...60%??? as a team....geeeeez, practice fellas....

[Gil Nuer]

UCLA head coach Brad Stevens. Sounds good? At least it would bring a refreshing change!

[BruinFan]

P.S. I don't go to church but I may start going...if I do Bruin Nation, I'll say multiple prayers for our Athletic Dept.

[BruinFan]

Best in the West - grab it!

I think his staff can't recruit - that's a problem

Every Sunday I pray at church that wee just make the NCAA tny. Then we lose Honeycutt and miss the NCAA nxt yr so we fire coach....the Wear twins won't save us...we still have no point

If I were coach:

1) I'd dump Anderson, Lane and Stover after the year

2) Recruit at least ONE Elite guard for 2011 (if not too late) or recruit TWO for 2012

and of cource, I'd go to church and PRAY my Bruins make the NCAA tny...that's how bad we got it fellas....

[BruinFan]

Dead on man!!

[True Bruin]

Lane reminds me of Former Bruin Kevin Walker, minus the jumpshot. Stover, Lane and Anderson were asked by UCLA play here. Honor it. Help is on the way. I truly believe the Girls Program will help revive the Boys Program.
Howland came here and took advantage of West Coast talent and used it for his run of Final Fours. That talent is not coming here at the moment. This is not the East Coast and UCLA will not get those Throwdown type of players to come here. Howland has two options if he wishes to suceed at UCLA, recruit the best in the West or take a job back on the East Coast and go back to Pitt-type of basketball.

[Old coach]

UCLA can't defend the good teams with their man defense. How long does it take Howland to recognize this. He went half way thru the season last year before he changed to zone after which they played much better. It would help keep Smith and Lane from making those stupid moving screen fouls. Smith has so much to learn, but he will be a very good player. Lane has no basketball instincts. He plays hard and is improving but he can only go so far. Here is a basic that I can't believe UCLA screws up time after time. Last night they missed 3 fast break opportunities because the man with the ball tried to penetrate instead of stopping at the FT line and distributing the ball or taking a short jump shot. All we did was clog up the lane and go no shot. Even Marques Johnson commented on it twice. This is just good fundamental basketball. I wonder sometimes just how good a coach Howland really is. His zone offense is weak, his man offense doesn't create enough opportunities for the type of players he has this year, his fast break is unorganized, and he should be playing zone defense. The man is stubborn. They would have beaten Memphis in the semis if they could have played a zone defense. They were certainly the better team. Look at how many UCLA players are starting in the NBA from Howland's teams. I think he should have been far more successful than he has. I am sorry to say that I have finally lost my faith in Howland as UCLA's coach.

[Joe Jackson]

Tough love:
J. Smith: You're fat. YOu need to lose weight.
R. Nelson: You are not a PF but thanks.
T. Honeycutt: Waiting...waiting...are you going to be the next Tayshawn Prince or skinny tall dude working at Sonic Burger.
M. Lee: Stop acting like you're good. You suck and you should play with an underdog mentality.
Lazeric: you're a pg...make some shots and some threes.

[BruinFan]

I'm watching UK vs Luisville right now - what a treat! Every single of these kids is athletic.

Lane, Stover and Anderson need to go Coach!!

When looking at the Bruin list of prospects, why don't we have more interest in POINT GUARDS???

[Duke Nukem]

Lazeric Jones getting in grill of 6"10 Casto was the best part of last night game against Wash St. Finally some toughness! UCLA can be tough without being stupid.

[BruinFan]

True dat
East Coast guards would crush us...
I can't wait to see how we play Washington...

[Tyrone Mcgee]

Was watching clips of Pitt vs. UConn...Coach Howland's UCLA teams have never ever looked like the Pitt teams he used to coached. It's like Howland struggles b/w being a defensive team versus a westcoast run and gun team.