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"UCLA is Just that Special"

Ryan Hollins talks about why UCLA is special - USA TODAY SPORTS

Ryan Hollins the key to first Final Four run under Howland talks about why he chose UCLA:

UCLABruins.com: Before becoming a Bruin, you committed to St. Louis University, but when its head coach Lorenzo Romar, left to become the head coach at Washington, you signed with UCLA. What factors eventually led you to becoming a Bruin?

Hollins: Coach Lorenzo Romar was there, and I was going to follow him to Washington. I think he knew that the only school in the country that could have pulled me away was UCLA. I remember in our recruiting talks he asked me, `If you have one school you could go to right now, what would it be?' and he knew it would be UCLA. It was one of the toughest decisions of my life, but UCLA is just that special.

The point is UCLA is unique in the basketball world. Howland is not the key, the four letters, the location, Coach's legacy and more are keys.

Thanks Ryan for choosing UCLA. Especially thanks for the 2006 run:

UCLABruins.com: At the 2006 NCAA Oakland Regional, the Bruins had their historic come-back win over Gonzaga and beat Memphis to advance to the NCAA Final Four. You were the region's `Outstanding Player,' what are your highlight moments from the Oakland Regional?

Hollins: I will never forget the resilience of the team. That second half (vs. Gonzaga) we came out with the attitude that whatever happened, we will keep fighting. I think that was the theme of the season: that we wouldn't quit on anything even though it looked bleak at times. Even more than that, I will never forget the end of the Gonzaga game, it just capitalized our season. No one really thought we would get to the point we got to, and it was just this feeling of vindication and hard work, trust and faith.

No Bruin fan will forget the Gonzaga game. Thanks Ryan.


This is a FanPost and does not necessarily reflect the views of BruinsNation's (BN) editors. It does reflect the views of this particular fan though, which is as important as the views of BN's editors.

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