The Student Activities Center (but always the Men's Gym in my mind) has always been the place to be in Los Angeles during the summer if you wanted to watch NBA players play intense pickup games.

This summer, with the NBA lockout, UCLA is definitely the place to be to get in some quality work.

Last week, the likes of Carmelo Anthony, J.R. Smith and Russell Westbrook were at UCLA, and there were enough NBA players on hand to hold a players' association meeting, according to Adam Mills, the long-time organizer of these games.

Pickup games at the Student Activities Center are also proving to be extremely valuable for our basketball team.  The ones that are here for summer school are playing when they get a chance, gaining experience you cannot find anywhere else.  The players are also tweeting who they've played  and worked out with so far this summer, putting together the best ever "What I did on my summer vacation" essay. Some sampling after the jump.

Anthony Stover on August 29th:

Rehab, workout w/ Elton brand then pick up.

August 27th:

Pick up with some 76ers

August 17th:

S/o to Kobe and Paul Pierce. Met them today

Reeves Nelson on July 27th:

Just got out the gym with that man Melo. It's crazy how skilled he is. I'm bout to learn a bunch.

Yes, that Carmelo Anthony.

Zeek Jones on August 26th:

S/O to @thekidet @Jrue_Holiday11 & @B1rdman44 for letting me hoop with them today #goodruns

So to our recruits, UCLA is the place to be year round - even during the "off" season, where the stars of the NBA not only come back to school to finish their degrees, but also are ready and willing to play a few pickup games with you.  Why wouldn't you want to come here?