UPDATES: CBH Reels In 5 Star Center
One of the nation's top recruits and one who most have called the key to UCLA's 2010 recruiting class has committed to the Bruins. According to Jon Gold, Josh Smith, a 6'10'', 270 lbs. center from Kentwood High School in Covington, Washington has decided to become a Ben Ball Warrior. The highly coveted center had narrowed his choices down to UCLA and the hometown school, Washington, but the Bruins have long been viewed as the favorite.
According to Rivals.com, Smith is the nation's 19th best recruit and third best center in the class of 2010. He has the potential to be a dominant figure in the low post and along with the plethora of big men in this year's freshmen class, the Bruins appear to be stacked up front for the foreseeable future. Here is Rivals' Jerry Meyer's scouting report on the future Bruin.
Blessed with superb hands and a soft shooting touch, Smith gobbles up rebounds and scores efficiently around the basket. Quick off the floor for his size, Smith is also a tremendous shot blocker and positional defender. He is also a dangerous passer with his overall strong feel for the game. Shaping up to be the dominant low post player in his class.
This is a major get for CBH and with Tyler Lamb already in the fold, a monster recruiting class is in the works. Welcome to Westwood Josh!
Elsewhere in recruiting, Harrison Barnes, the five star small forward from Iowa will announce his college decision on Friday, although he is a longshot for the Bruins. If that name sounds familiar, Barnes is the recruit who N posted about, talking about the amazing blog entry Barnes wrote about his official visit to UCLA.
Another note: Thursday is the first day of the early signing period so the UCLA recruits can put their signature on a National Letter of Intent and make their commitment official.
UPDATE I: David Wharton of the LA Times also has Smith's commitment so it looks like a done deal.
Washington state prospect Josh Smith, one of the top-rated big men in the nation, has committed to UCLA.
A 6-9, 270-pound center from Kentwood High, Smith came to the decision about an hour ago, his father said, choosing the Bruins over Washington.
He made his official visit to Westwood just a few weeks ago but had held off on a decision until after visiting with the Huskies staff.
Continue after the jump for some quotes from Smith.
UPDATE II: Jon Gold, who first broke the story, spoke with Smith and has some good stuff from the center, including how the history of Coach Wooden's lured him in.
"Not trying to disrespect any other school, but with UCLA, people see those four letters and they remember all those great players, those champions, Coach Wooden," Smith said. "I want to wear those four letters well."
Ummm, can anyone here disagree with that line of thinking? I think not. Smith also speaks about wanting to get to work soon to make himself better and to be a part of the team.
Smith said he planned on heading to Westwood in June to get a head start on weight training and conditioning. A fixture in the post, Smith has said he wants to improve his explosiveness.
"When I talked to the coaches I wanted to be an impact player right away," Smith said. "That isn't necessarily starting. If I'm coming off the bench and helping the team win, that's a good thing. We'll have a young team, and I think it'd be good for us to gel together, get that chemistry."
That's the mentality of a Ben Ball Warrior right there. It's tough not to get excited about Smith wearing those four letters across his chest on Nell and John Wooden Court. Smith also has his eye on a degree.
"I've been telling people, I'd take it if the opportunity comes," Smith said. "I plan on staying all four years; the first thing I want to do is get my degree. But let's say I become a lottery pick my fresh year, I'd take the opportunity. I'm not trying to run to the NBA as fast as I can. Success for most people isn't success for some people. I'm trying to make the most out of my college degree."
Now, I warn everyone out there not to get overly excited about this. Yes, he is entertaining the option of returning for a few years, but he does say he'd jump at a lottery opportunity and I think that will happen sooner rather than later. I'm going to treat a sophomore year as a bonus, but the fact that he's even discussing get a degree says a lot about the kid and I hope that whether he stays one or four years, he gets that degree at some point. Check out Gold's entire piece for some other great stuff on Smith talking with Kevin Love and how he feels comfortable in LA with the family he has here.
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Ha
My comment was going to be very similar to yours. I gotta be quicker around here.
WELCOME TO WESTWOOD, JOSH!
I'm not going to UCLA...
Lol Jk. Can’t wait to see this guy in uniform
There's no one in the world that wants to beat UCLA more than _______.
by ucla13_usc9 on Nov 9, 2009 8:52 PM PST via mobile up reply actions
Hey Ryan
It seems that you were posting this bit of good news at the same time as me. It is always a joy to share good news to the Bruins Nation. Now we just have to land Zeigler and the other highly touted recruits.
Go Bruins!
by UCLA Championships Made Here on Nov 9, 2009 8:02 PM PST reply actions
One thing I really liked about the Harrison Barnes article
The mention that KLove was there to meet an academic advisor. Sounds like both he and Russell are trying to finish what they started here academically.
That's one thing that stood out to me too
I love to see that. While I doubt Smith stays four years (one or two is more likely) and I don’t expect it in any way, I hope he does get his degree at some point.
Formerly ryebreadraz
by Ryan Rosenblatt on Nov 9, 2009 8:47 PM PST up reply actions
Could not be more pumped for this
And if CBH somehow reels in Harrison Barnes…
Yeah, I'm not holding my breath on Barnes
I’d love it, but he appears to be a longshot. I think McCallum and Ziegler are far more likely, with McCallum the most likely.
Formerly ryebreadraz
by Ryan Rosenblatt on Nov 9, 2009 8:46 PM PST up reply actions
The article made me want the guy
I was prepared to just sit back and accept that we’re longshots, but this is a kid that respects our program and respects the game and its history. The rational part of my mind tells me that there’s very little chance he winds up with us, but it’s refreshing to see a kid of his talent and skills have the right mentality and now I’m going to be disappointed if he doesn’t choose us. Either way, his attitude is enough for me to wish him well wherever he goes. I just hope that where he goes is Westwood.
McCallum is the key
While I’d love to see CBH land Barnes and Ziegler, McCallum is the guy we really need. With JA as the only point, we are going to need backup help at the point and give JA’s future replacement time to be a good understudy just as JA was for DC who was for JF.
A quick FYI on Barnes (my apologies if it's mentioned elsewhere)
He will be announcing his decision at a press conference Friday at 1 pm PST on ESPNU
by insomniacslounge on Nov 11, 2009 10:15 PM PST up reply actions
I'm glad he is interested in staying for his degree...
…but I’m very grateful he’s being honest with BN from the jump. There’s no games, no maybes, no questions. If Josh is going to be a lottery pick, he will go.
I appreciate his candor on the issue.
But I do believe the young man: he, like K-Love, Russell, JF, and AA, will get his UCLA degree. Whether he does that in four straight years, or after returning while in the NBA, I do believe this young man is set on graduating. Good for him and I’m very excited for our Bruins.
Awesome news! Now hopefully most of our better underclassmen won't declare for the draft.
33 Wins. Yeah, I said it.
Awesome!
I know that the tea leaves re. Smith’s recruitment had been looking rather good for us, but actually seeing these reports and reading his statements on committing to UCLA is wonderful.
How many
Spots do we have for 2010? 4? So there are two spots for Barnes, Jones, McCallum, and Zeigler. I hope McCallum will commit to UCLA because we need to have a point guard.
WHOO HOOOOOOO!!!
Huge pick up! GO BRUINS!!!
"The entire world that bleeds blue and gold ... they have been dying for this." - Coach Rick Neuheisel
great news
Recent reports on the WWL would have you believe all is lost and UCLA is returning to the days of Lavinesque mediocrity.
We know the truth. Any Howland coached team is going to come out with that warrior spirit and compete every minute of every game. The news of this commit with hope in landing Barnes just goes to show the UCLA/Howland combination is still very attractive to premier recruits.
Go Bruins!
A coach is someone who can give correction without causing resentment. John Wooden
Biggest story is that he didn't go to Washington
With UW as the flavor of the week coming off of their pac 10 championship last year and the favorite to win this year, its nice to see that UCLA is still the top dog in the pac 10. It would have been disastrous if Smith had gone to UW to team up with Thomas and Gaddy and the rest of Romar’s bunch up in Seattle who could have been looking at a championship contender.
First time I've jumped out of my seat in a while..
As long as CBH keeps pumping out players to the NBA, UCLA will remain a top choice on everybody’s list.
He's not retired...THANK YOU!
AWESOME NEWS!
Question, though: how are we looking as far as guard recruits for the same year.
No one knows yet whether ML or JA will have the kind of year where he can contemplate more than a “test the waters” step into the draft, but we are REALLY thin in the backcourt already.
CBH has done a STELLAR, MIND-BLOWING job of bringing in tough, talented frontcourt prospects for this year, but does anyone know about our guard propsects?
M
"In this program your passion bucket must be full to play SC." -- CRN, to Dan Patrick, 1/2008
About guards
As of now, we have one commit for 2010: Tyler Lamb, a 2-guard out of Mater Dei. 4-star recruit, top-50 overall according to Rivals, a tad lower by Scout.
Our remaining backcourt offers are to: Ray McCallum, a consensus 5-star PG out of Detroit, and Trey Zeigler (fmr. Coach Zeigler’s son), a high 4-star, 2-guard prospect.
I knew CBH and the staff were well on top of this.
Smart coaches do their best to get the most talented and balanced classes with one eye on the next year and another on the next 2-3 years, and our guys sure didn’t fall off any turnip truck…
…unlike prior school employees we know of, who would follow-up a 4-person and 5-person class with 1-player classes 2-3 years in a row. Ugh.
M
"In this program your passion bucket must be full to play SC." -- CRN, to Dan Patrick, 1/2008
Awesome!!!
Just woke up and read this. Oh man, it’s already a great day!!!!
Welcome Josh. You have chosen wisely.
greg in denver - UCLA guy for life
2nd year
I really hope we get to watch his sophomore season. A season of physical training will turn him into a manimal.
by AllHailMightyBruins on Nov 10, 2009 9:38 AM PST reply actions
YES!!!!!!!!!!!!
This is a huge addition to the recruiting class of 2010. Can’t wait to see Josh play for CBH.
thinking ahead
to a future front court of bobo, gordon, and smith together seems downright beastly
Across The Face
Don't forget Anthony Stover who was a pretty decent prospect too.
The competition in practice should be pretty fierce with those 4 going after rebounds. ferice
Don't forget Lane and Nelson
I think Howland finally has that gritty, Pitt style frontcourt that he used to have.
by AllHailMightyBruins on Nov 10, 2009 4:06 PM PST up reply actions

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