A big night here in the Nation. Coach Howland lands another monster recruit. Blackjack diaried it up and dpriggs posted a must read insta-analysis. Here is a little roundup on the commitment of our latest Ben Ball warrior.
The LA Times has a short story up on the latest gem for Coach Howland:
Drew Gordon, a 6-foot-9 junior basketball player from San Jose Archbishop Mitty who's considered the No. 1 big man on the West Coast for his class, announced Monday he has committed to UCLA.
Gordon, who played against Santa Ana Mater Dei in March's state Division II championship game in Sacramento, averaged 16 points, 14 rebounds and 3.8 blocks a game. He's known for his leaping ability, toughness and ability to block shots.
His selection of UCLA might come as a surprise to some since Washington had emerged as a strong candidate in recent days. California, Arizona, North Carolina and Duke were also considered.
"I am excited for the recruiting phase to be over for me, and I can't wait to get to UCLA, even though I have another year of high school," Gordon said in a news release distributed by Mitty.
Gordon's arrival in the fall of 2008 gives UCLA support if incoming center recruit Kevin Love chooses to leave school after one season.
Gordon's father, Ed, played basketball at Carson High.
While that's the take from the Trojan Times here is the story Drew's home town paper the San Jose Mercury News ran this afternoon:
Gordon, who played against Santa Ana Mater Dei in March's state Division II championship game in Sacramento, averaged 16 points, 14 rebounds and 3.8 blocks a game. He's known for his leaping ability, toughness and ability to block shots.
His selection of UCLA might come as a surprise to some since Washington had emerged as a strong candidate in recent days. California, Arizona, North Carolina and Duke were also considered.
"I am excited for the recruiting phase to be over for me, and I can't wait to get to UCLA, even though I have another year of high school," Gordon said in a news release distributed by Mitty.
Gordon's arrival in the fall of 2008 gives UCLA support if incoming center recruit Kevin Love chooses to leave school after one season.
Gordon's father, Ed, played basketball at Carson High.
The 6-foot-9 junior is a consensus five-star prospect and rated as the No.16 recruit nationally for the class of 2008. Though he plays center for Mitty, he is projected as a college power forward.
Gordon, whose father Ed played basketball with Tony Gwynn and Michael Cage at San Diego State, led the Monarchs to the Northern California Division II championship, beating the state's top-ranked team at the time, Jesuit of Carmichael, to reach the school's first state final.
In the 69-64 overtime loss to Mater Dei of Santa Ana, Gordon had 17 points, 13 rebounds and four blocks against a constant triple team.
Gordon, who has started since his freshman year, averaged 15.7 points, 10.1 rebounds, and 3.9 blocks last season, and established himself as a defensive force who could dominate a game. He also shot 60 percent from the field and 69 percent from the free-throw line.
And then there is the Arizona Daily Star which is once again left reporting how Howland beat Lute Olson's has-been program for yet another blue chip recruit:
Gordon, whose father Ed played basketball with Tony Gwynn and Michael Cage at San Diego State, led the Monarchs to the Northern California Division II championship, beating the state's top-ranked team at the time, Jesuit of Carmichael, to reach the school's first state final.
In the 69-64 overtime loss to Mater Dei of Santa Ana, Gordon had 17 points, 13 rebounds and four blocks against a constant triple team.
Gordon, who has started since his freshman year, averaged 15.7 points, 10.1 rebounds, and 3.9 blocks last season, and established himself as a defensive force who could dominate a game. He also shot 60 percent from the field and 69 percent from the free-throw line.
Gordon said in a press release this afternoon that he was impressed with the Bruins' coaching staff, their postseason success, their plans for his development and the campus environment.
UCLA has been to two straight final fours.
"I am excited for the recruiting phase to be over for me, and I can't wait to get to UCLA, even though I have another year of high school," Drew said. "I want to thank all of the schools who were interested in me. It was an honor to be recruited by such top level programs. I appreciated getting to know all the coaches and players, and I look forward to competing against them as a Bruin."
Gordon's high school coach, Brian Eagleson, said in the release that he fully supported Gordon's decision.
"UCLA has a great program that will push him to become an excellent player and will develop him as a student athlete," Eagleson said. "We reviewed many aspects of the programs on Drew's list, and UCLA fits him as a player and as a person."
Another bonus side note to all this: Howland didn't have to open up a spot in his loaded roster for a son of some silly rapper in a desperate ploy to land some baggage heavy recruit. Standards are of course a little different in Westwood.UCLA has been to two straight final fours.
"I am excited for the recruiting phase to be over for me, and I can't wait to get to UCLA, even though I have another year of high school," Drew said. "I want to thank all of the schools who were interested in me. It was an honor to be recruited by such top level programs. I appreciated getting to know all the coaches and players, and I look forward to competing against them as a Bruin."
Gordon's high school coach, Brian Eagleson, said in the release that he fully supported Gordon's decision.
"UCLA has a great program that will push him to become an excellent player and will develop him as a student athlete," Eagleson said. "We reviewed many aspects of the programs on Drew's list, and UCLA fits him as a player and as a person."
Anyways HT to Bruin Basketball Report for a little teaser on the latest Ben Ball warrior:
Let the good times roll.
GO BRUINS.