We have some signing news involving Bruin stars from two sports. First up Russell Westbrook, who didn't waste any time in inking his NBA K with Oklahoma City something:
First-round picks Russell Westbrook and D.J. White have signed multi-year contracts with the Seattle SuperSonics.
Westbrook, a guard, was taken fourth overall out of UCLA. White, a forward, was drafted by Detroit with the 29th overall pick out of Indiana and traded to the Sonics for the 32nd pick, Walter Sharpe, and the 46th selection, Trent Plaisted.
Westbrook and White signed on Friday, Seattle general manager Sam Presti said. Contract terms were not released.
The NBA's rookie scale calls for Westbrook to make about US$6 million over his first two seasons, while White would make about $1.6 million combined over the first two years.
I'd say RW made the right decision leaving year. Not bad for a kid who was overlooked by most national pundits at the beginning of his second season.
Also, joining RW in the professional ranks, Alden Carrithers from the baseball team, who also signed a professional K with the Detroit Tigers:
Second baseman Alden Carrithers, a senior on the 2008 UCLA baseball team, has signed a professional contract with the Detroit Tigers. Carrithers was selected in the 15th round of the 2008 Major League Baseball Draft by Detroit.
Carrithers, who led UCLA in batting average in his two seasons at UCLA (2007, 2008), will begin his minor league career playing for the Gulf Coast League Tigers (Lakeland, Fla.).
Carrithers started 59 games for UCLA in 2008, capturing All-Pac-10 team honors in addition to being named a second-team All-West Region selection by the American Baseball Coaches Association (ABCA). Aside from leading the Bruins in batting average (.377) and on-base percentage (.484), Carrithers was the team's leader with 84 hits, 17 stolen bases and 10 hit-by-pitches.
A native of Portland, Ore., Carrithers was one of five Bruins selected to the Fullerton Regional's all-tournament team. The second baseman went 5-for-15 (.333) wit hfive runs and two RBI in four games. Carrithers recorded a .325 batting average in 23 Pac-10 games last spring, compiling 16 RBI, 18 runs and a team-best .500 on-base percentage in conference action.
Good luck to both Alden and RW.
GO BRUINS.