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UCLA held an open practice yesterday for Basketball. If you attended please add your thoughts. Here is an official tweet.
Thank you to all of the season ticket holders for coming out to today's @UCLAMBB open practice! #GoBruins pic.twitter.com/kF4IGryGGw
— UCLA Athletics (@UCLAAthletics) October 24, 2015
A couple thoughts as you can see from this picture. Bolden is tall, taller than Parker. However his leg is also wrapped. This is a matter of concern.
Tony Parker has the fans cracking up at the autograph session, no surprise by the Quotable One.
Mr. Tony Parker, the life of the party, at our afternoon Bruin basketball alumni BBQ. pic.twitter.com/4kgLd3K6gr
— UCLA Basketball (@UCLAMBB) October 25, 2015
For some details we turn to CBS. This tweet from CBS's Jon Rothstein seems to sum up the good news. We may have a real freshman point guard for the first time in years.
The big surprise here at UCLA? Freshman PG Aaron Holiday. Has a chance to be a menace on the ball defensively. Could start for Bruins.
— Jon Rothstein (@JonRothstein) October 24, 2015
UCLA has not a legitimate two-way point guard since DC in 2009. This is indeed good news.
However, I think Rothstein is definitely sees things through Rose-tinted glasses. I think this one from Rothstein may be too optimistic.
Under-the-radar Pac-12 freshman: UCLA's Alex Olesinki. Stretch PF gives Bruins a different look. Could be very valuable against a zone.
— Jon Rothstein (@JonRothstein) October 24, 2015
Why? Take a look at this pic. Alex seems a bit thin to play 4 in the PAC 12.
Of course Rothstein did mention the "other four" option.
Pac-12 nugget: UCLA working on a two-big lineup with Parker/Welsh and a three PG look with Bryce Alford/Hamilton/Holiday. Interchangeable.
— Jon Rothstein (@JonRothstein) October 24, 2015
This quote is laughable. Hamilton is not a point guard. Alford is a combo guard. Prince Ali did not play because of an injury. So I remain dubious of Parker and Welsh working together to solve the four problem, for this year. I say for this year as it looks like TJ Leaf may be coming next year:
T.J. Leaf enjoyed his official visit to UCLA this weekend but has no timetable on a decision at this point.
"It was good, I had a good time,"the 6-foot-9 Leaf out of El Cajon (CA) Foothills Christian said by text. "I like the coaches there and the school in general is really nice."
A more interesting tweet is this one from Rothstein
"@JonRothstein: Early prediction on UCLA's starting five: Bryce Alford, Aaron Holiday, Isaac Hamilton, Jonah Bolden, Tony Parker."
— Chris Sorrentino (@BruinSportsNet) October 24, 2015
The surprise here would be Holiday. Prince Ali can play the three. I always thought Ali would start with Hamilton at the 2, and Bryce as point. Apparently Holiday is really impressing.
Bottom line is IT IS TOO EARLY TO SAY MUCH but:
Holiday is looking good and like a point. He is really impressing people.
The jury is still out on how good/great Bolden will be. He may be our only real option at four though.
Go Bruins!