Its A Blue And Gold Holiday!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

by Nestor on Jul 3, 2007 12:29 PM PDT in Recruiting Comment 31 comments

Holiday comes early for Bruins Nation.

Bruin Report Online just came out with a blockbuster (but not unexpected) announcement (free article).

Jruuuuuuuuuuuuuue Holiday is a Bruin (emphasis added):

Jrue Holiday, the 6-3 guard from North Hollywood (Calif.) Campbell Hall -- the #5-ranked player in the nation -- will announce his decision to attend UCLA today, according to sources.

He chose UCLA over Washington, after eliiminating North Carolina, Arizona and others earlier.

Holiday is one of the most critical -- and biggest -- recruits in the last decade for UCLA.

Holiday is one of the most promising guards to come out of Southern California in a long time and is considered the best all-around So-Cal guard prospect since Baron Davis.

Holiday's interest in UCLA really picked up after the Bruins went to their second Final Four in two years. He narrowed down his choices to UCLA and Washington, where his older brother, Justin, will be attending this year.

We've heard from sources that the chance to stay close to home, near his family, and play for an elite program like UCLA and coach like Ben Howland, was instrumental in his decision. We've also heard that Jerime Anderson, the guard already committed to UCLA, was a factor in Holiday's decision.

Welcome to Heaven Jrue.

UPDATE: This news is so huge even the TrOJan Times is not wasting any time to jump into this Bruin party:

Jrue Holiday of North Hollywood Campbell Hall became the crown jewel of what could be the nation's No. 1 basketball recruiting class when he committed to UCLA on Tuesday.

Holiday, a 6-foot-4 senior, averaged 23.1 points, 9.4 rebounds and 6.4 assists in leading Campbell Hall to the state Division IV championship last season.

He can play point guard or shooting guard and has been rated one of the top players for his position in the nation.

His mother, Toya, confirmed Tuesday that her son had called UCLA Coach Ben Howland to give him the news.

"It was his decision," Toya said. "He wanted to stay home."

Howland was so determined to land Holiday that people at Campbell Hall have joked that he had his own parking space on campus.

I will say it once again:

Thank You Lord For Giving Us Ben Howland.

UPDATE II: BBR with a solid post on Jrue's commitment to UCLA.

UPDATE III: Some really interesting early tidbits from Dohn:

--He said he has known fellow UCLA commit and Canyon of Anaheim guard Jerime Anderson since they were in seventh grade. They played AAU ball together.
--He said he was thrilled with the overall look of UCLA's recruiting class, and was comfortable with the current selection of players. "I know everybody at UCLA,'' he said. "I think it's a great recruiting class.''
--Did UCLA making back-to-back Final Fours impact his decision? "Not at all,'' he said.
--Did you grow up rooting for UCLA? "No, North Carolina,'' he said. "I was a North Carolina fan. Michael Jordan, for one reason, and because of their colors.''

The fact that Jrue grew up a UNC fan doesn't surprise me. When he was growing up a certain "coach" whose name I will not mention on this festive start of the weekend was busy destroying the name brand of UCLA. Howlad has restored that brand in just four years. It is amazing to think just few months ago UNC was leading the recruiting wars for Jrue (with Washington running second). IIRC Roy Williams even rolled out Number 23 during his visit (unofficial) to Chapell Hill. At the end it didn't matter. Howland made a clear cut case to the hottest recruit from Southern California since Baron Davis: UCLA is the place to be. Its the place to be if you want to win conference championships, be on track to hang NCAA banners and move on to the NBA.

Again God Bless Ben Howland.

I believe we are witnessing history. We are in the midst of another special era of UCLA hoops. Lets soak it all in.

GO BRUINS.

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Comments

Like we needed another excuse to party!

When does JH make it official?

by charnaw on Jul 3, 2007 12:38 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

I think

the press conference is sometime this afternoon.

by bluestreet on Jul 3, 2007 12:39 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Yeah Baby! Yeah Baby!Yeah Baby!Yeah Baby!

Welcome home Jruuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuue!!!

by bluestreet on Jul 3, 2007 12:38 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

This is such a huge get

Jrue will be an amazing college player and should be a great one in the pros. #1 recruiting class here we come!!

THANK YOU BEN HOWLAND!!

by trainwreck84 on Jul 3, 2007 12:42 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

No doubt in my mind

that UCLA is the premier college basketball program in the country.

by Barnes2JJ on Jul 3, 2007 12:50 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Does this mean the 4th of July . . .

is a Jruish Holiday? Hey, you were all thinking it!

by charnaw on Jul 3, 2007 12:51 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

An extended Holiday

to say the least. The folks around me here must have thought I am nuts when I saw that headline.

by bruinhoo on Jul 3, 2007 1:12 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

LOCK AND LOAD...

...ROCK AND ROLL.

Welcome to the Nation, Mr. Holiday.

Work hard, study hard, play hard... and keep on being the same good kid that Coach saw when he recruited you.

Be honest with yourself and with others, and give honest effort, and you can't go wrong.

Very glad to have you, Jrue. WELCOME ABOARD!

MIM

WHY NOT US? WHY NOT NOW?

by Meriones on Jul 3, 2007 12:51 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Jeez

Howland is amazing. The number 1 and 2 players in back to back years. That's quite an achievement. This is great news. Welcome, Jrue, you're going to be great!

by bruin95 on Jul 3, 2007 12:52 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Gee

Just how big is that "gap" now between UCLA and that other school over in South Central? What was that other school's name again? They were closing a gap or something last time I checked?

by Barnes2JJ on Jul 3, 2007 12:56 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

just think

couple of days ago Diane Pucin was wondering how UCLA would cope if Love were to leave after one year.

by bluestreet on Jul 3, 2007 12:59 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

She's clueless

I've admitted numerous times to reading the fishwrap, but I never read her stuff. It's almost always garbage.

by Barnes2JJ on Jul 3, 2007 1:05 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

HA HA HA

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SMcSCSs6-Ng&mode=related&search=

Go Bruins!!

by uclabruins05 on Jul 3, 2007 1:11 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

We'll see who's the "Killer" now

Can't wait to see Jrue light up Jennings and shut his stinkin' trap. Jennings will be put in his place just like all the other Mildcats.

by BlueReign on Jul 3, 2007 1:12 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Yeah Baby!!!

This is huge ... this is how to run a marquee program. TGFBH. Thank God for Ben Howland.

We heard from our sources this would happen within the week. Glad he chose right before the holiday. Excellent choice!!

Does anyone have ANY doubt that Ben Howland is THE MAN and knows what he's doing?!!!! Talk about recruiting ... lets talk about recruiting. THIS is recruiting. Top players committing to UCLA. 5 stars!! Many of them!!

Welcome to basketball heaven Jrue!!

by DumpDorrell on Jul 3, 2007 1:23 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

YEEEEEEAH

ben howland is a recruiting monster.

by freesia39 on Jul 3, 2007 1:31 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

I love this!!!

Lets think about this for a second. After what Florida just did, and how their players took 3 of the 9 top spots in the draft, anyone think KLuv is a sure one-and-doner. Look at this '08 class ... in-friggin-sane. Imagine what a Kluv in THAT lineup, adding 1 year experience with the winners KLuv will play with this year, could do in his 2nd year. I like the chances of KLuv being at least a 2 year player.

Basketball is SET for YEARS to come. This is how it should be.

by DumpDorrell on Jul 3, 2007 1:40 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Amen!

What an incredible program. Two straight Final Fours and an incredible bunch of new guys.

I love it.

by Barnes2JJ on Jul 3, 2007 1:44 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Welcome Jrue!

We are now poised to hang #12 (and possibly 13, 14, 15....) in the rafters within the next few years.

I can't wait to see KLove outletting to Jrue (think positive people).

Oh, and how awesome are Ben Howland and staff?

by Ajax on Jul 3, 2007 1:42 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

JRUE!

awesome! welcome to UCLA Jrue!

by sfatoo on Jul 3, 2007 1:50 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

I can't even imagine

how difficult Jerime, Jrue and Malcolm are going to be at the 1,2 and 3 for other teams. Is this really happening??? Go Bruins!!!

by bruin95 on Jul 3, 2007 2:03 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

This is not possible

It is not possible for UCLA to attract 5 star players in any sport, since the entrance requirements are so high, "we will lose games", and we need to be realistic about our expectations...... that is what they are outputting over at the "fantasy camp" across the hall. You sure these players are rated that high and are coming to UCLA because of the winning record, respect among other coaches, positive comments from people like Phil Jackson regarding the value of the basketball education, and the momentum one coach has inserted into a storied program? .......
Bill

BillSouthBay

by Mensgym on Jul 3, 2007 2:10 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Nice

Someone had to say it.

by Barnes2JJ on Jul 3, 2007 2:14 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

woooo

And the fireworks go off for the Fourth of Jru-ly Holiday!

by bhmt on Jul 3, 2007 2:39 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Recruiting

It seems like not long ago we were in anguish about Keating leaving and our recruiting efforts were going to suffer because of it.

This is the good things that happens when you build a solid, honest program.

by artybruin on Jul 3, 2007 2:52 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Awwwwwwwwww Yeahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!

I'll admit it, I'm a doom and gloom type of gal. I was sweating Afflalo and Keating leaving, Shipp's hip surgery, the uncertainly around Luc's play, etc. But I was geared up for the arrival of Love and Stanback and excited about what a fabulous 2008 recruiting class we had...even before Jrue committed. And now this?! I screamed when I saw the headline on the Daily News website (which I was perusing to find out more about Villaraigosa's alleged affair, but that's another story...). Can our basketball program possibly rock any harder?! As Nestor said, I think we are entering a very special, magical era in UCLA hoops and I can't wait to get the ride started. Sweet!

by bruininthelbc on Jul 3, 2007 8:28 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Um

How do I put this...

WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!

Getting off work early suddenly is the second best part of my day.

by Tydides on Jul 3, 2007 3:52 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

a 5th schollie

Only if we had a 5th schollie to give out, we would have the chance to become the second, "BUT BETTER" coming of the FAB 5.

by eoj703 on Jul 3, 2007 3:57 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

We may have a 5th to come

As things stand now, we have 14 scholarship players/recruits for the 2008-09 year (assuming all players/current commits use eligibility), 1 over the scholarship limit of 13. Right now, there is a good chance of having 2 or 3 players leave early, after next season (07-08; Collison, Love, Shipp).

Howland's recruiting of the '08 class already assumes that at least one player will leave early, for the scholarships to work out.

Have heard some talk of Howland considering another big man in the '08 class, with the focus (of this speculation) being on Tyreese Breshers out of Price-Los Angeles. Also have heard about Ralph Sampson Jr recently. Sampson (at 6'11") could be useful; if Love is one-and-done (hopefully not), Aboya will be the only Center on the roster in 08-09.

by bruinhoo on Jul 3, 2007 5:05 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Ladies and gentlemen, this is why you want

a premier coach running a program. Good things happen and keep on happening on its own momentum. Do you think Howland gives a sh*t how his recruiting is rated nationally? #1, #5, or #10...who cares!!! All he cares is, he wanted KLove, he got him. He wanted JHoliday, he got him.

Howland GETS his target recruits to fill positions of need. KD SETTLES for whatever recruits are willing to come, whatever positions they happen to play.

by bluegold on Jul 3, 2007 4:41 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

New recruit rankings for the c/o 2008

from USA Today. Not yet updated to show Jrue's commit to UCLA, but gives a nice picture of our recruiting class, ranking all 4 players in the top-15 nationally, and as the top 4 HS players in California.

by bruinhoo on Jul 3, 2007 5:11 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs