Tomorrow is PAC 12 Basketball Media Day. Details are here. UCLA is up at 12:05. The player representing UCLA will be Isaac Hamilton.
This is interesting as Steve Alford did not select Bryce again. In his four years the media day selection has been:
2013-14. Sophomore Kyle Anderson (MVP)
2014-15 Senior Norman Powell (MVP)
2015-16 Junior Bryce Alford
2016-17 Senior Isaac Hamilton
I was also disappointed last year because then Senior Tony Parker was a good interview and media hound. Parker was the rare college player who is fun and worth listening to in an interview setting. On the others, Kyle was the unquestioned leader and "coach on the court." At the time Norman was a mild surprise as he is the opposite and was thought to be quiet. However, that season he became the unquestioned leader of the team and his locker room speech on defense during the season was key to that season's turnaround.
So does that mean Isaac will be the leader? Of course, the leader may very well be Freshman Lonzo Ball. That said Isaac was noticeable vocal in Australia this summer.
UCLA is ranked #3 in Preseason Media Poll. Last year UCLA was picked fifth with one first place vote but finished an underachieving tenth. It will be interesting to see what the media thinks of this loaded UCLA's team chance to gel.
Go Bruins!