Answers, Part V

you mentioned before the beginning of the FB season last year that M. Slater had "it", when it came to returning kick offs. Do any of our current players competing to return kicks have "it" or anything close it. Basically how does our special teams in that department look?
They really haven’t done much kick return stuff, so it is impossible to tell. But given the talent from last year is the same as this spring (since the freshmen aren’t around), I cannot think of anyone of the roster even close to Slater when it comes to returning kicks.

Who writes the headlines for the blog entries? Do you write them, or do editors write them, as they do for regular articles? I ask this because the entry titled, "Westbrook Leaving" went on to say that he was not hiring an agent to preserve his eligibility. It seems "Westbrook Declaring" would have been more accurate.
I write them. It was quick write on it to get the information out. You are correct with your query.

why wouldn't aboya stay at ucla next year and use the last year of his scholarship towards his master's degree??
Because he wants to go to graduate school (or law school) and begin working toward his goal of becoming Cameroon’s president. He is academically driven, and used his basketball skill to get a great education. Remember, he originally committed to Georgetown, which is a pretty darn good school.

I read somewhere that RN would be accepting transfers this summer after the scolarship situation cleared up. With a couple of medical scolarships being used is there any info on incoming transfers?
Nothing yet. I would think that stuff would start to gain in steam after schools finish spring practice.

When will the schedule (basketball) for next year be finalized. Do you know what preseason tournament we might be taking part in?
It usually gets done in mid- to late-July. UCLA is playing in the coaches vs. cancer event.

Will the bruin basketball team be playing in Austin this season, and if so, is there a date yet?
Indeed, the Bruins are playing in Austin. I’m not sure of the date, but I believe it is going to be the first or second weekend of December.

With all the uncertainty concerning who is coming and going regarding the UCLA Basketball roster, and who coach might offer to, I was wondering about the scholarship limit. How many scholarships can the basketball program offer total? How many per year? Who is presently on scholarship?
A program can have 13 players on scholarship, and can offer, if need be 13 in one year. Technically, UCLA has 10 players on scholarship since those declaring for the draft but not signing with an agent on still on scholarship. They are Kevin Love, Luc Richard Mbah a Moute, Josh Shipp, Darren Collison, Russell Westbrook, James Keefe, Michael Roll, Chace Stanback, Nikola Dragovic and Alfred Aboya.

I recall you writing that Arron Afflalo was one of your favorite Bruin athletes that you covered. Can you say what set him apart in your mind and made you like him on a more personal level?
He was as humble as an all-American can be, but honest. He always gave reporters time, whether they were from the biggest paper or radio station or the smallest, and he was always respectful. If he said he would be somewhere at a time, he would be there. He was a quality person to deal with on a regular basis.

Have you had a chance to interview or talk to him now that he's with the Detroit Pistons? Do you ever watch him play in any NBA games?
I talked to him once or twice, and saw him play bits and pieces of a few games.