Collison and Love story

By Brian Dohn
Staff Writer
Despite media reports stating UCLA freshman center Kevin Love and junior point guard Darren Collison were leaving for the NBA, Love’s mother and Collison both said late Tuesday night the reports were false and decisions were not yet made.
The reports quoted unidentified sources saying the players told UCLA coach Ben Howland during a Monday meeting.
“I don’t know where these rumors are coming from because it has not yet been decided,’’ said Love’s mother, Karen. “I got a frantic call this afternoon from Kevin and he said there was a report he was leaving and made a decision, and that is not true.’’
Collison, reached at his parents’ home in Rancho Cucamonga, called the reports false.
“It’s not true. That’s what I’m telling you,’’ Collison said. “It’s unfair for this to be reported because it is not true. I have all these people calling me, and I didn’t even know about it. I don’t know where this stuff is coming from.’’
Of course, sources said throughout the season said Love and Collison were expected to leave following the season for the NBA, and sources continue to say that.
Collison and Love both met with Howland on Monday. Collison said his parents were flying home from the Final Four on Tuesday night. The team left San Antonio on Sunday morning, but several families of the players remained in town and watched the championship game.
“I haven’t spoken to coach (Howland) about my decision because no decision has been made,’’ Collison said. “This is not something I’m going to do without speaking to my family about it first, and we have not spoken about it yet.’’
Karen Love said Kevin was expected to fly home to Lake Oswego (Ore.) today so the family could discuss the matter over the weekend. She added that said Kevin did meet with Howland on Monday, but no decision was made as to whether or not Love was leaving.
“Kevin did not tell Ben that he was leaving, and we didn’t make that decision yet,’’ Karen Love said. “He is coming home this weekend and we’re discussing it. It hasn’t happened yet.’’
Following the Bruins’ loss to Memphis in the NCAA Tournament’s national semifinals on Saturday, Love said he would take at least a week to make a decision.
“When Kevin makes a decision, everyone will know,’’ Karen Love said. “It won’t be decided at least until some time next week. One thing is he has it pretty nice at school.’’
Also, sources continue to say Bruins guard Russell Westbrook is leaning toward putting his name in the draft, but it is uncertain whether he will hire an agent. Sources told the Daily News a few days ago Westbrook would likely remain in the draft he was assured of being in the top 20 picks.
“We haven’t even talked about it yet,’’ said Westbrook’s father, Russell Sr. “I’m not sure yet. That decision is yet to be made.’’
The deadline for underclassmen to declare for the NBA draft is April 27. If players declare but do not hire an agent, they can pull their names out before the draft and maintain their college eligibility.