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Word leaked this morning that former Texas Tech recruit power forward Wannah Bail has given a verbal commitment to attend U.C.L.A.
6'9" Wannah Bail verbals to UCLA this morning @rcssports @reggierankin @ny2lasports
— texasboysbasketball (@TXboysbasketbal) May 31, 2013
Bail, who is listed as either 6'8 or 6'9, was reportedly considering U.C.L.A., Miami, and Southern Cal, and he visited Westwood this week. There has been no official confirmation from U.C.L.A. Also, if the tweet is accurate, a verbal commitment is still not a signed scholarship offer, so we will look for an announcement from the Morgan Center that this is a done deal. But all signs have been pointing to this the last few days, so this sounds more and more like it is happening.
The circumstances surrounding Bail's brief time at Texas Tech and his subsequent transfer have been discussed on BN, and have been unusual, to say the least. On the surface, Bail does not initially look like the big impact player that many Bruin fans were hoping for. But when it is all said and done, this should still be a boost for the Bruins. Bail will be the best athlete for a big man that the Bruins have had in years. From NBC's CollegeBasketballTalk.com:
Adding Bail would give UCLA an athletic piece who can help them on the defensive end of the floor. He's a bit raw offensively, but head coach Steve Alford and his staff (which includes Ed Schilling, who is highly respected for his skill development work) can bring Bail along in that area.
Nothing personal, but I'm hoping for more than an Anthony Stover. With little used Tony Parker and the Wear twins returning to fill both the PF and center spots, the Bruins did not have much depth at the two positions together. Bail will immediately bring some much needed depth as well as provide another body for practice, which should benefit all four of our bigs.
Though we have zero faith in our Apathetic Director, and our new basketball coach is surrounded by question marks, we will always support any student athlete who wears and upholds the four letters. So, assuming Bail and U.C.L.A. are just working out the technicalities before this becomes official, I welcome Bail into the Bruin family.
GO BRUINS!