June 2009 Archives

Single game tickets for UCLA football games go on sale Wednesday. Here is a reminder/release from UCLA:

UCLA athletic director Dan Guerrero said the school has $53 million in pledges, meaning they are more than halfway to the goal of $100 million.
He also said naming rights (UCLA is using a more politically appealing term) for the arena could go for $40 million, but that could be used to offset the cost of bonds rather than toward the "Campaign of Champions" goal of raising the $100 million.
The name of the arena, even with naming rights, will still have Pauley Pavilion in it.

*This post was edited

UCLA athletic director Dan Guerrero and one of his top aides, Ross Bjork, met with select members of the media today to detail the seating plan for the renovated Pauley Pavilion.
Much of the information contained stuff I wrote about in Sunday's paper, but Guerrero said a chance was made the concourse will now wrap around all of the renovated structure to help with pedestrian flow.
Information will go up on UCLA's website Wednesday afternoon, and season ticket holders will receive information late next week as to where they currently stand on the points list, and an area where those seats would be.

UCLA right-hander Trevor Bauer was named to the Baseball America all-freshman team. Here is the release:

UCLA concluded its advanced skills camp, and two of the most impressive players were Chaparral of Temecula class of 2012 product Xavier Johnson and Edison High of Fresno class of 2012 center Robert Upshaw.
The coaches spent a significant amount of time talking to Johnson, a 6-foot-4 wing.
Upshaw has some nice moves in the low post, and it will be very interesting to watch his development over the next few years.
Class of 2011 center Angelo Chol of Hoover of San Diego was also impressive from an athletic and understanding viewpoint.
Also, Shabazz Muhammad, a class of 2012 wing from Las Vegas Bishop Gorman, was in attendance Monday despite not being able to play because of a toe injury.

I will have more Tuesday about UCLA's advanced talent basketball camp, but a few quick things from today.
Former Lakers great Jerry West gave an inspiring talk to the campers, and former Bruins guard Arron Afflalo took time from his workouts to speak with the campers and answer questions.
There was plenty of nice talent present, and I also got a chance to see members of UCLA's incoming freshmen class. However, Reeves Nelson and Tyler Honeycutt did not participate because of injuries, and UCLA commit Kendall Williams sat out the afternoon session with a sprained ankle.

Here is an update on the first day of UCLA's men's basketball camp, courtesy of colleague Frank Burlison from our sister paper, the Long Beach Press-Telegram. I'll be down there today.

Recent UCLA commit Brett Nottingham, a quarterback out of Monte Vista High of Danville, was named the top performer at the Elite 11 camp at UNLV over the weekend.
Also, here is a highlight video of him:

Here is a story I wrote outlining the seating structure of the renovated Pauley Pavilion.

Here is it, folks, the last set of answers. Hope the information was helpful. It's a lot to go over, but hopefully you get some time during the weekend to play catchup, if need be.
Now, onto the final set:

Here is the 15th set:

Morning folks. The answers will continue today, beginning with this set, No. 14:

Here is a story about former Colorado receiver Josh Smith looking to transfer, with UCLA as a possible destination.
I know the Bruins are very interested in Smith. As a matter of fact, a few of my sources told me about it two weeks ago, and they said it had a good chance of happening if UCLA had scholarship space.
However, my sources asked me to keep it quiet until news of it leaked out, and now it has. So, as long as UCLA has an available scholarship, this has a very good chance of happening.

This is the last set of answers for tonight. I will post the final few sets on Saturday, but for now here is the last set, lucky No. 13:

*This answer set was edited. It should have said UCLA is NOT taking two quarterbacks in this class. My bad, and sorry for the confusion it created. Guess I got a little bleary-eyed answering all the questions this week.

Here is the 12th set:

Here is the 11th set:

Former Crespi High of Encino tight end Joseph Fauria was granted his release from Notre Dame and will transfer, and I am hearing he will look at UCLA, and the Bruins will also look at him.

Here is the 10th set of answers:

Here is ninth set:

The eighth set is now ready for viewing:

Here is the seventh set:

Here is the sixth set:

Here is the fifth set:

Here is set No. 4:

This comes courtesy of the University of Arizona. It is a listing of the schools with the most NBA draft picks since 1989:

1. ARIZONA 31
2. Duke 29
3. UCLA 28
4. North Carolina 25
5. Connecticut 23
6. Kansas 22

Here is the third set:

Here is the second set:

Here is the story I wrote for today's paper about former UCLA guards Darren Collison and Jrue Holiday being drafted. Both were in New York for the draft.
Also, here's a story about Collison from the Times-Picayune and one on Holiday from the Philadelphia Inquirer.
Collison said he will fly to New Orleans today to meet the coaching staff and the media before returning to Los Angeles tonight.
Holiday said he was traveling to Philadelphia today to meet the media and the coaching staff and would fly back to Los Angeles tonight.

Lots of questions this week, which is a good thing since there will be no Q&A next week because of the July 4 holiday. Not sure how many sets of answers yet, but I'm thinking there will be 15 to 17, so I will post a few sets Saturday.
Now, onto the first set of answers:

Neither wing Josh Shipp nor power forward/center Alfred Aboya were drafted, but UCLA coach Ben Howland said he expected both to be invited to an NBA summer league camp.
Howland added both players had "high-level European situations" on the table if the NBA didn't work out.

Here is what UCLA coach Ben Howland had to say about Jrue Holiday and Darren Collison being drafted:

Just got off the phone with Jrue Holiday, and the former UCLA guard said he was "blessed" to be picked by Philadelphia with the 17th pick. He said he didn't mind falling out of the lottery, and said the 76ers up-and-down style of play is perfect for his game.
Holiday also said he did not work out for the 76ers "because they didn't think I'd be available" with the 17th pick.

Former UCLA point guard Darren Collison was selected with the 21st overall pick in the draft by the New Orleans Hornets. He will be guaranteed $2.1 million in the first two years and another $1.2 million if the third year option is picked up.

Former UCLA guard Jrue Holiday was selected 17th overall by the Philadelphia 76ers.
The NBA rookie salary scale guarantees Holiday makes $2.6 million in his first two years, and will earn another $1.4 million if a third-year option is picked up (as it usually is).

The NBA draft has gone through 13 picks and former UCLA guard Jrue Holiday remains on the board.

UCLA just hosted its three-day football camp, but UCLA coach Rick Neuheisel is looking to change the format in the future to a model being used at many other schools.
From what I'm hearing, the idea is to have a Big-man camp one day, perhaps a Skills camp another day and so on. It would be similar to how USC handles its camps, and would give the staff a better chance to evaluate talent on campus.
However, money could be an issue. The three-day camp is used to supplement the salaries of the assistant coaches, but themed camps would not produce nearly as much revenue. It means UCLA would have to come up with an alternate money source (like boosters helping to pay salaries) before moving forward.

Former UCLA players Trevor Ariza of the Lakers, Kevin Love of Minnesota and Russell Westbrook of Oklahoma City each accepted invitations from USA Basketball to attend the national team mini-camp in Las Vegas July 22-25.

The pre-trial hearing of (former) UCLA safety E.J. Woods was pushed back until July 31 because he changed lawyers, according to a spokesman for the city attorney's office. Woods, is from Crespi High of Encino, is charged with six misdemeanor counts of battery.
Also, I heard Woods, who is transferring from UCLA, was supposed to meet with the coaching staff of Southwest Los Angeles College earlier this week.

There are plenty of mock drafts out there for today's NBA draft, and most of them have UCLA's Jrue Holiday going in the top 10 picks and Darren Collison late in the first round.
I am yet to see one (doesn't mean it doesn't exist) with Josh Shipp drafted.
Here are mocks from DraftExpress, NBADraft.Net and NBA.com, which has a compilation of a number of mock drafts.

I know there are a lot of futbol folks out there because of the number of questions I receive about it, and I was wondering if discussion about today's 2-0 defeat of Spain belongs on a UCLA blog.
So since UCLA products Carlos Bocanegra, Benny Feilhaber and Jonathan Bornstein all played for the Bruins (here's a photo gallery), I figured, heck, why not see what everyone thinks of the win.
For me, watching it was amazing. I thought the U.S. defense was tremendous, and played inspired. I think it is too much to ask to beat Brazil in the final, but if South Africa stuns Brazil, maybe the U.S. has a shot.

The youngsters began their camps at UCLA today, and proud papa and former USC star Keyshawn Johnson was there to watch his son, Keyshawn Jr., participate.

It is that time of week again for the questions and answers. Send in a question of 50 words or fewer (or it gets deleted) by 8 a.m. Friday and I will post the answers throughout the day.

*Editor's note -- I am sure there will be loads of Cassius Marsh questions based on some of the comments and emails I received, and I am not going to respond to them.
For those not in the know, it is based on an answer I gave two weeks ago to the question: Are we still in it for Cassius March?
My response: Yes, and as I sit here now, I will be surprised of Marsh does not wind up at UCLA.

Things change. I do not think UCLA is out of it after talking to several folks this week. It is more than seven months until signing day. There will be plenty of time to discuss him later on.
If this is an issue, the alternative is for me to no longer answer such questions.

I talked to former UCLA punter Aaron Perez this week. He was heading to Buffalo to work out for the Bills. Also heard former Bruins defensive tackle Brigham Harwell had a recent workout with the Bills.

Here is the story I wrote in today's paper about UCLA's two football commitments.
Also, I spoke to Fresno Edison defensive lineman Wesley Flowers this morning, and he said he is being given the choice of whether to play defensive end or defensive tackle.
"They said it's wide open for me,'' Flowers said. "Coach (Rick) Neuheisel asked me what position I would play, and I wanted to play wherever I fit in best. As long as I'm on the defensive line, it doesn't make a difference."
Flowers said leaving California for college isn't really an option.
"I always wanted to play for a Pac-10 school,'' he said. "Grandma told me I was not leaving California. She said if I committed somewhere outside of the state, I would have to de-commit. I'm like her baby boy, so I don't think she wants me to go to far. I've been with her since I was three days old."
Flowers said he will still take official visits to other schools.
"I still want to take my trips and have that part of the fun,'' Flower said. "I'm solid with UCLA."

Here is a story I wrote for today's paper on former UCLA point guard Darren Collison as he readies for Thursday's NBA draft.
Also, I asked Collison if he paid attention to any of the mock drafts available in cyberspace.
"One day I'm trying to figure out where I'm going, one day I have no idea where I'm going, one day I'm excited,'' he said. "One day, I'm like, 'man, what happens if this team picks me.' There's so many mixed emotions because you don't really know where you're going. It's crazy.''

Monte Vista High of Danville quarterback Brett Nottingham said he was flying home rather than attend USC's Rising Stars camp after orally committing to UCLA on Tuesday.
Here is the reason why he committed to play at UCLA:
"I'm going to be able to play football for great coaches," he said. "I'm going to have an opportunity to have a great degree from there and have fun doing it, and learn a lot about football."

I am hearing UCLA got a commitment from Fresno Edison defensive tackle Wesley Flowers. I will have more on that shortly as well.

Got a text from Monte Vista of Danville quarterback Brett Nottingham while I was driving home from UCLA that he committed and will be a Bruin. I will have more shortly.

With the freshmen (most of them) on campus now, UCLA is starting its daily passing workouts and will do so through the month of July.

Former UCLA hoopsters Arron Afflalo and Lorenzo Mata-Real were on campus yesterday to play pickup games and stay in shape.
Afflalo, who is with the Detroit Pistons, said he will be on campus to work out four times a week during the summer.
Mata-Real, who played in Mexico last year, said he is going to play with the Chicago Bulls summer team. He will report July 9, but will be at UCLA to keep sharp and work out.

Quarterback Brett Nottingham from Danville Monte Vista High showed up this morning for the last session of the three-day camp, and got plenty of attention from the coaching staff.
With Taylor Graham committing to Ohio State, I expect UCLA to offer Nottingham, perhaps even later today.

A quick report from Brian, who is out at UCLA's camp today...

Taylor Graham, the only (previously non-committed) quarterback UCLA has offered so far in this recruiting class, has given an commitment to Ohio State. Graham, from Wheaton High in Illinois, is the son of former Ohio State and NFL quarterback Kent Graham.

Brian will have more information this afternoon...

With UCLA safety E.J. Woods looking to transer, it means UCLA's scholarship count should not be an issue as it creeps closer to the NCAA maximum of 85.
There is a lot of time before August training camp begins, and I am hearing it is possible at least one more player could be leaving the program (I am not at liberty to disclose who right now).

I have a story running in tomorrow's paper that UCLA safety E.J. Woods is looking to transfer.

Was out at UCLA watching the three-day camp, and there are not a lot of prospects (nor are there supposed to be since many of them came to the one-day camp earlier this month).
However, class of 2011 receiver Devon Blackmon (Summit High) was there and could receive a UCLA offer shortly. He looked a bit tired since he just flew in from the Oregon camp, but his athleticism was noticeable.
Also, defensive lineman Kirifi Taula (Servite High) showed some skill and, from what I'm hearing, UCLA could offer him soon.
The quarterbacks weren't anything special, although the coaching staff seemed to keep an eye on Tyler Shreve (Redlands East Valley) and Andrew Manley (Leilehua, Hawaii).
I am also hearing UCLA will keep a watchful eye on linebackers -- Eric Kendricks (Hoover High) Ofa Fifita (Arroyo Valley) and Will Smith (Notre Dame) and receiver Austin Hill of Roosevelt.
Also at the camp was defensive back/running back Austin Collinsworth, the son of former NFLer and current NFL analyst Chris Collinsworth.
And the buzz around the camp was Oaks Christian defensive tackle Cassius Marsh is expected to show up for Tuesday's morning workout.

On campus today and saw freshmen offensive linemen Stan Hasiak and Xavier Su'a-Filo, and thought I would pass along how big and strong they look. In my six years covering UCLA, I cannot remember two offensive linemen coming into school with that size.
(I will have some stuff from UCLA's camp in a little while.)

I spoke to former UCLA point guard Darren Collison today and he said he will be in New York for the NBA draft. He said his workouts are done, but he has no idea where he will go in the draft but he was hearing late first round or early second round.

What are everyone's thoughts on USC's men's basketball hire?

Here is a partial list (please keep in mind things change quickly with who comes and who does not come) of some of the players I heard would be attending portions of UCLA's three-day camp, which began Sunday:

USC named former Arizona coach Kevin O'Neill as its head coach today. Here is the release from USC:

Folks, thanks for the questions this week. Hopefully, the Branden Warner saga is over and we can all move on. Now, here is the last set of answers for the week:

Here is the 10th set:

Here is the ninth installment:

Here is the eighth set:

Onto the seventh set:

Most of UCLA's freshmen football class will move in Sunday and begin summer school Monday, but three signees are in danger of not qualifying academically and have academic issues to clean up during the summer in order to enroll when August training camp begins.
Irvine High offensive/defensive lineman Nik Abele and Long Beach Jordan linebacker Taniela Maka both have work to do before being accepted into UCLA, according to sources.
Both players still have the possibility of taking care of their academic business before training camp begins, and if they do, both will enroll. However, if the academic situation is not rectified, either or both could still enroll in January 2010.
Also, as previously reported, Mt. SAC offensive lineman Eddie Williams has course work to complete and, provided he completes it, will enroll in August.

Here is the sixth set:

Here is the fifth set:

Here is the fourth set:

In going through the questions, there are a lot about Branden Warner and his character. I feel like it is a re-hashing of Donovan Edwards from a year ago. I skipped a number of them because they are redundant. Now, here is the third set:

Got a few emails from folks saying they believe they saw Corona Senior High running back Jordan James on campus today. My understanding is he is there with family to meet with the coaching staff during an unofficial visit.

Here is the second set of answers:

Here is the story I wrote for today's paper about Drew Gordon's injury.
Also, I spoke to him about what he was missing by not playing with the U-19 national team.
"I'm missed some of the best workouts of a lifetime, in the high altitude (in Colorado Springs) and in New Zealand,'' said Gordon, who also looked at the positives."I'm home for my birthday, home for the fourth of july, things I have missed since I was a freshman in high school."
Gordon also talked about what is was like waiting for the test results. He was injured Tuesday, but didn't know the results until Thursday afternoon.
"Both nights were difficult. ...You don't know what was happening," he said. "I did sit up for a while and think of what possibly went wrong. I was hoping for tendonitis and I could tape it up."

A bit of a late start today, so let's get started. I will have in the neighborhood of 11 sets of answers today, beginning with this one:

Here is a football notebook I wrote for today's paper, which deals with transfer news and commitments.
Also, when I spoke to Fresno Edison High cornerback Tevin McDonald about his commitment to UCLA, we talked about his family. His father, Tim, played at USC and in the NFL.
"I asked how he felt about (committing to UCLA),'' Tevin said. "He said he felt great, but of all schools, it had to be ucla? He told me it's a great campus, a great school. In his mind, 'SC is better. He told me Westwood was always the place to be, and he would go there to hang out."
McDonald said he canceled trips to Oregon and Washington after making the decision.
"I feel like now that 'I'm a commit, I don't need to take the trips," he said.

I talked to UCLA hoops center Drew Gordon tonight and he told me he hoped to be in action and playing in the Men's Gym in a few weeks. He was might relieved his knee injury turned out to be minor.

UCLA's Sept. 12 UCLA game at Tennessee will kickoff at 1 p.m. PDT and be televised by ESPN.

I just got off the phone with former UCLA running back Raymond Carter, who said he committed to Colorado State today. He said his choices came down to Colorado State and New Mexico State.

An MRI revealed the tear in the right patellar tendon of Drew Gordon's right knee will not require surgery, according to UCLA. He will rest for a week and then begin rehab work.

Sorry, folks, but I was in a meeting. Just got out and had a message from a source Fresno Edison safety Tevin McDonald gave UCLA coach Rick Neuheisel a non-binding oral commitment. I will have more shortly.

Former UCLA receiver Dominique Johnson, who is from Moreno Valley, said family issues were the driving force behind his transfer to Cal Poly San Luis Obispo. His family will re-locate to the SLO area.
If there wasn't such issues?
"I think there was a strong possibility I would have stayed,'' Johnson said.
He also said he is going to appeal his two-game suspension to start the season. It is an NCAA penalty for getting back a season of eligibility after UCLA's coaching staff said Johnson was mistakenly put into a game late in the fourth quarter of a blowout win in the 2006 opener. He did not play again during the season.
"I'm going to try and appeal that and see if they can get anything taken off that,'' he said, "or if (Cal Poly) can choose the two games."

Former UCLA receiver Dominique Johnson said he was transferring to Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, a Football Championship Subdivision (formerly Division I-AA) so he could play two seasons.
"I didn't want to sit out a year and then have one more season of eligibility,'' he said. "I wanted to use my last two years of eligibility and make the most of it. I was pretty set on I-AA from jump."
If he transferred to a Football Bowl Subdivision school, he would have had to sit out a year under NCAA transfer rules. Since Johnson has only two years of eligibility remaining, he said he didn't want to waste one of those years sitting on the bench.
"They were in need of a guy,'' Johnson said. "They lost their top two (receivers). They didn't have a standout after spring practice.

Just got off the phone Branden Warner and he told me he was going to New Mexico State, where former UCLA defensive coordinator DeWayne Walker is the head coach.
"I am going to head to New Mexico State,'' Warner said. "Right now, me and UCLA were having problems. I am on my way to call (Bruins coach Rick) Neuheisel today."
As a side note, Warner said he is fully qualified, meaning he would be eligible to play at UCLA.

(Editor's note: Sources told me that Warner was told if he received his A.A. degree and was NCAA qualified, UCLA's admissions said they would admit him to school.)

Former UCLA walk-on receiver and ex-Bruins right-hander Josh Roenicke was promoted to the Cincinnati Reds. Here is the release from UCLA:

Here is the story I wrote about UCLA hoops center Drew Gordon injuring his knee during tryouts with the Under-10 U.S. national team.
Gordon is supposed to be examined by UCLA's medical staff today, and hopefully results will be known later today.

(In case you missed it, here is something about former Bruin Pooh Richardson and the FBI.)

I talked to UCLA center Drew Gordon's mom, and she said surgery has not been ruled out for her son's partially torn patella tendon in his right knee. I have more on it in Thursday's paper.

Send in a question (50 words or fewer or it gets deleted) and I will provide the answers Friday.

UCLA issued a press release concerning center Drew Gordon's injured right knee. It is being called a partial tear of the patella tendon in his right knee. There is no word yet on how long Gordon will be out.
Here is the release from UCLA:

Here is a story I wrote for online on hoopster Drew Gordon's injury.

UCLA hoops center Drew Gordon left the Under-19 team tryouts with a right knee injury, which he sustained Tuesday night.
The extent of the injury is not known, but he is heading to California for more tests. I will have more shortly.

Picked up the Athlon college football rankings today and saw UCLA was ranked No. 51 in the nation, nestled between Houston and Baylor.
Here's how Athlon ranked Pac-10 teams:

No. 4 USC
No. 11 California
No. 13 Oregon
No. 25 Oregon State
No. 38 Arizona State
No. 51 UCLA
No. 53 Stanford
No. 58 Arizona
No. 76 Washington
No. 88 Washington State

Here is a story I wrote for today's paper about incoming UCLA hoops player Tyler Honeycutt being out with a back injury. Also, Bob Keisser of our sister paper in Long Beach wrote a nice column about former UCLA tight end Marcedes Lewis giving back to the community.
Finally, Daily News staffer Jill Painter wrote about UCLA graduate Charlene Alfonso caddying in the U.S. Open this week.

I did something for Wednesday's paper about incoming UCLA freshman wing Tyler Honeycutt being out at least two months with a back injury. He said there are no guarantees surgery will not be needed to fix the problem, but he is optimistic he will be ready for the season.

Here is a list of players from the 2008 UCLA football team who graduated:

DE Tom Blake
QB Pat Cowan
WR Marcus Everett
LB Josh Edwards
OL Scott Glicksberg
DT Brigham Harwell
OL/TE Adam Heater
DB Chris Meadows
CB Mike Norris
P Aaron Perez
OL Micah Reed
DL Nate Skaggs
QB Ben Olson

*This post was edited to include Olson

Here is a release from UCLA about its men's basketball schedule:

UCLA's tentative non-conference men's basketball schedule will include home non-conference games against Cal State Fullerton, Cal State Bakersfield, Pepperdine, Kansas, New Mexico State, Colorado State and Delaware State.
Also, the Bruins will travel to Notre Dame and play three games in the Anaheim Classic.
Here is how the schedule shapes up:

I was told by several sources Mt. SAC offensive lineman Eddie Williams remains on pace to gain admission to UCLA. However, he will not enroll when most of the freshman arrive on Sunday for the first day of summer session on Monday.
I am told Williams has some course work to finish and he should arrive in late July/early August, provided he completes his course work to the satisfaction of UCLA's admissions folks.

Former UCLA receiver Dominique Johnson is transferring to Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, which plays in the Football Championship Subdivision.
After sitting out the first two games of 2009 because of an NCAA punishment, Johnson will be eligible to play this season.

Compton College defensive tackle Branden Warner said today it is now unlikely he will go to UCLA, where he orally committed, marking a huge blow to the Bruins. He was expected to contend for a starting position.
Warner said he spoke at length with members of the coaching staff Sunday, but he no longer feels comfortable with the program. He said the lengthy conversations with UCLA were because the staff "is still trying to get me to go there.''
Asked what the problem was with UCLA, Warner said "a whole bunch of stuff'." He added UCLA did not remain in close contact with him during a trying time this spring in which he was finishing classes and trying to resolve an outstanding tuition bill. He said his transcripts were released to schools today.
Does it look like UCLA is out of the picture?
"Probably, but I can't say definite,'' he said.
Warner said he is now looking at New Mexico State, SMU and Ohio University.
"They are all about even right now,'' Warner said.

I know there has been some debate about whether Kevin Love is a true UCLA Bruin since he spent only one season in Westwood. Watching the NBA Finals made me think of Trevor Ariza's one season at UCLA, and also made me wonder what UCLA fans thought. So, here is a poll:

Here is a story I wrote for today's paper about UCLA's point guard situation now that Jrue Holiday officially is heading to the NBA.
One thing I constantly get emailed and asked is whether Howland was wrong to play Holiday at the off guard spot and allow Darren Collison to play the point. It is coming to light again since Holiday is projected as a lottery pick and Collison is projected as a late first round pick.
In short, I think Howland did the right thing. Collison cannot play the off guard, so if Holiday was the starting point, Collison would have been relegated to 15 minutes a game. Since Holiday could play both, UCLA's best lineup had Collison at point and Holiday at the off guard spot.
But one argument I will make is Holiday could have been Collison's primary backup at point, but that would have limited Jerime Anderson's minutes.
What does everyone think?

Thanks for the questions this week. Hope the answers were helpful, and enlightening. Now, here is the last set:

UCLA basketball coach Ben Howland said former UCLA guard Darren Collison walked in today's graduation ceremony and then is heading for New Jersey for a workout
He added former wing Josh Shipp walked Friday and then took off for Oklahoma City for a workout
As, wing Michael Roll, who is returning to UCLA for a fifth season, also walked in the graduation ceremony.

Here is the press release from UCLA on Jrue Holiday staying in the draft:

UCLA coach Ben Howland said guard Jrue Holiday made the right decision in signing with an agent and entering the NBA draft because Holiday is projected as a lottery pick.
Howland also said Holiday will sign with agent Dan Fegan.
As far as scholarships are concerned, Howland said he would use Holiday's scholarship if the right guard or big man was available, but right now sources said UCLA isn't targeting anyone.

We brought you the story originally in January that former UCLA quarterback Troy Aikman was graduating from UCLA and would walk in the ceremonies, and that happened today. Here are a few photos (courtesy of UCLA) from the event:

Hey, everyone. Two more sets of answers today, beginning with this one. Here is set Lucky 13:

Here is the story I wrote for today's paper about Jrue Holiday leaving UCLA and signing with an agent.
Also, Holiday said he has more workouts with NBA teams scheduled for the upcoming week as he readies for the June 25 draft.

Folks, after this set I will continue the answers Saturday. Here is the 12th set:

Here is set No. 11:

Here is the 10th set:

Here is the ninth set:

Here is a story I wrote for dailynews.com about Jrue Holiday hiring an agent and remaining in the NBA draft.

I talked to now former UCLA guard Jrue Holiday, who said he will sign with an agent and remain in the NBA draft. I will have more shortly.

Here is the eighth set:

Here is the seventh set:

Here is the sixth set:

Here is the fifth set:

Former UCLA quarterback/receiver Chris Forcier was on with Dan Patrick on Thursday. I was going to bypass it, but I got a lot of emails about it so here is the link to listen to the audio.

Here is the fourth set:

Here is the third set:

Here is the second set:

The ongoing saga of UCLA commit and Compton College defensive tackle Branden Warner continues to be perplexing. Although he said UCLA would have his transcripts a week ago, the coaching staff still has not received them.
I am hearing Warner is expected to be on campus this weekend to meet with coach Rick Neuheisel. The first summer session begins June 22, and my understanding is UCLA wants Warner to take part in it.
However, he cannot do so until UCLA receives the transcripts, and he is admitted to the school.

Thanks for the questions this week. Looks like there will be 12 or 13 sets of answers today, so let's get started now:

Yes, this is a UCLA blog, but I get so many questions about USC and the NCAA, I thought I would post this here. USC released a statement today, via a video, about the situation. Click here to view it.

UCLA's first summer session begins June 22, which means most of the incoming freshmen football and basketball players will arrive on campus June 21.
From what I'm hearing, all of UCLA's basketball recruits will be arriving on time, and all but three of the high school football recruits will begin the summer classes on June 22.
However, I am still hearing three high school football recruits need to take care of something academically before enrolling at UCLA.
(In fairness to the players involved, I do no feel this is the right time to release their names.)

UCLA senior right-hander Jason Novak was selected in the 48th round of the MLB draft by the St. Louis Cardinals.

As I reported in today's paper, it was announced today UCLA will play Mississippi State in the Wooden Classic in Anaheim this season.
Also, I was told today the Bruins have Pepperdine on the non-conference slate, as well as Kansas and Notre Dame.

UCLA coach Rick Neuheisel said he expected incoming freshmen Randall Carroll (receiver) and Damien Thigpen (running back) to join receiver Nelson Rosario in running track next year.

The MLB draft ends today, but UCLA had its seventh player drafted when pitcher Garett Claypool was drafted in the 32nd round by Oakland. Here is the release from UCLA:

Almost forgot to post this today, but send in questions (50 words or less) and the answers will appear Friday.

UCLA is going to play Mississippi State in the Wooden Classic on Dec. 12 at the Honda Center in Anaheim. An announcement could come in the next few days.
Yes, that is the same Mississippi State Renardo Sidney plans to attend.

UCLA receiver/long jumper Nelson Rosario did not qualify for the finals of the long jump competition at the NCAA outdoor Track and Field Championships in Fayetteville, Ark.
His best jump was 24 feet, 3.5 inches during his three-jump effort in the first round today.

UCLA senior first baseman Cody Decker was taken by the San Diego Padres in 22 nd round of the MLB draft and junior Gabe Cohen rounded was picked in the 29th round by the Tampa Bay Rays.

So far UCLA has had four players selected in the Major League Baseball draft. Junior infielder Casey Haerther was taken in the fifth round by the Angels, junior left-handed pitcher Gavin Brooks was selected in the ninth round by the Yankees and junior right-hander Charles Brewer was taken in the 12th round by the Arizona Diamondbacks.
Senior left-hander Brendan Lafferty was chosen by the Kansas City Royals in the 18th round.

Here is a video link of Josh Shipp talking about his workouts. He was in Portland on Tuesday to work out for the Trail Blazers.

Here is a story I did on UCLA receiver/long jumper Nelson Rosario, who jumps in the NCAA outdoor Track and Field Championships today.
Also, here is what his mom, Sylvia, said about her son's jumping prowess when he was growing up.
"They were always jumping the fence," she said. "Kids lived behind us and instead of going around, the kids jumped the fence.

USC coach Tim Floyd has reportedly submitted his resignation.

Here is a video of UCLA football coach Rick Neuheisel talking to a group of boosters last month in Westlake Village:

Here is the second part of it in which Neuheisel states, "We're going to walk out of this room tonight, ladies and gentlemen, ticked off at Pete Carroll.''

I know some NBA writers have written UCLA guard Jrue Holiday signed with an agent, but I was told by the family that is not true. However, one of his advisers is agent Dan Fegan.

Here is the story I wrote for today's paper about UCLA quarterback/receiver Osaar Rasshan taking a medical retirement after undergoing shoulder surgery today.
While the shoulder will take quite a while to heal, one thing I am hearing is he may try to get pitch for UCLA's baseball team next season. Rasshan was a standout pitcher in high school.
(By the way, Rasshan is one of the classiest kids I have dealt with in my career. I thought I should note that.)

Former UCLA point guard Darren Collison has workouts scheduled for New Orleans and Philadelphia this week, and also has a group workout scheduled for about 15 teams.

It's been a while since I posted one of these, but quarterback Osaar Rasshan is going to have shoulder surgery Tuesday and take a medical retirement. I have more on it in Tuesday's paper.

The Pacific-10 leaders met and decided on several cost-cutting proposals. The release is below:

UCLA guard Jrue Holiday is going to work out for Milwaukee, New York and Sacramento this week before making a decision whether to remain in the draft and sign with an agent or whether to return to UCLA for his sophomore season.
But, many of the folks close to UCLA and with the NBA believe he is going to remain in the draft.

UCLA's coaching staff wanted to see the quarterbacks during its one-day camp before deciding on a direction, and the play of quarterback Taylor Graham of Wheaton (Ill.) North must have been enough for him.
The 6-foo-4, 190-pound Graham received a scholarship offer from UCLA.

I am hearing Lugo High defensive tackle George Uko and Palmdale High cornerback Josh Shaw will get offers from UCLA and it is looking like Los Alamitos defensive back Shaquille Richardson and Carson offensive lineman Wade Yandall will also get offers.

UCLA received a non-binding oral commitment from Bellevue (Wash.) High defensive tackle Julious Moore. He also had offers from Washington and Washington State.

UCLA is hosting its one-day camp today, with more than 200 prospects on campus. After losing the commitment of Serra High receiver Paul Richardson last week (he is supposed to camp at UCLA), the Bruins enter the day without any commitments.
They are also the only team in the Pac-10 without a non-binding oral commitment, while conference leader Stanford has 15.
Here is the Pac-10 conference breakdown, according to Scout.com:

Stanford 15
Washington 9
USC 8
California 6
Washington State 4
Arizona 3
Oregon 3
Arizona State 2
Oregon State 1
UCLA 0

Thanks for the questions this week. I will have updates this weekend about UCLA's one-day camp, and if the Bruins secure any commitments.
Now, onto the last few answers for this week:

Here is the ninth set:

From UCLA:

UCLA Football Practice Opens on August 10;
Scrimmage set for August 22

UCLA will open its 2009 pre-season football practice on Monday, August 10. The Bruins will practice once daily from August 10 through August 14 as part of the NCAA acclimatization process.

The first practice in full pads will be Friday, August 14. Two-a-day practices will begin on Saturday, August 15. NCAA rules instituted in 2003 prohibit two practices on back-to-back days.

On Saturday, August 22, the Bruins will hold their first major scrimmage of Fall Camp. The scrimmage will be held at Drake Stadium, beginning at 5:00 p.m.

All practices between August 10 and 22 will be open to the public and all, with the exception of the August 22 scrimmage, will be on Spaulding Field. Practices beginning August 21 will be determined at a later date.

Here is the TENTATIVE practice schedule:

Monday, August 10 - 3:00-6:00 p.m.
Tuesday, August 11 - 3:00-6:00 p.m.
Wednesday, August 12 - 3:00-6:00 p.m.
Thursday, August 13 - 3:00-6:00 p.m.
Friday, August 14 - 4:00-6:00 pm (First day of full pads)
Saturday, August 15 - 9:15-11:00 a.m. and 5:00-7:00 p.m.
Sunday, August 16 -3:30-5:30 p.m.
Monday, August 17 - 9:00-11:00 a.m. and 4:45-7:00 p.m.
Tuesday, August 18 -3:00-5:15 p.m.
Wednesday, August 19 - 9:00-11:00 a.m. and 4:45-7:00 p.m.
Thursday, August 20 - 3:00-5:15 p.m.
Friday, August 21 - 9:00-11:00 a.m. and 5:00-7:15 p.m.
Saturday, August 22 - 5:00 p.m. (Scrimmage at Drake Stadium)

Here is the eighth set:

Here is the seventh set of answers:

Here is the sixth installment:

Here is the fifth set:

Here is the fourth set:

Here is the third set:

Now I know what staffer Jill Painter was so frustrated about while I was on vacation. It seems every post is turning into a UCLA-USC bickering session back and forth.
A player transfers, and it turns into something about USC and Tim Floyd's character, or ripping each other with no UCLA context.
So I will make it simple -- If it continues, the comments section gets turned off, people get banned (including their IP addresses).
If you want to argue like 6-year-olds, find a way to exchange email addresses, phone numbers or IMs, and deal with it that way so the other 99 percent of the people that visit the blog don't have to deal with it.

Here is the second set:

Not tons of questions this week, which is fine by me since not much is going on with the program. I will have 10 sets of answers today, beginning with this one:

Here is the story I wrote for today's paper about quarterback/receiver Chris Forcier transferring to Furman. At the end is a note about former Tulane linebacker David Allen, who plans to walk-on at UCLA.

Here is a press release I received from the family of Chris Forcier regarding his decision to transfer from UCLA to Furman so he may continue playing quarterback:

Just got word that UCLA quarterback/receiver Chris Forcier is transferring to Furman.

He is expected to compete for the QB job there.

A story about Matt Leinart and Tom Brady working at UCLA was making the rounds on campus the last 24 hours. Here is a report about it from The Arizona Republic.

UCLA red-shirt freshman defensive end Damien Holmes will undergo surgery Friday to move a bone chip in his right elbow, but he is expected to be ready when training camp begins Aug. 10.
Holmes, a key reserve, injured his elbow midway through spring practice. It was diagnosed as a hyperextended elbow, but he has continued to experience discomfort.
An examination concluded surgery was needed to remove the bone chip. He is expected to backup fifth-year senior Korey Bosworth at right defensive end.

Receiver Markeith Ambles from Henry County High (McDonough, Ga.) is on campus for an unofficial visit today.

I am hearing Lugo High defensive tackle George Uko could pick up an offer from UCLA this weekend if he performs well at the Bruins' camp.

Folks, I threw together a list of some of the prominent prepsters who are expected to attend UCLA's one-day camp Saturday. My understanding is UCLA will have more than 200 players on campus, although not all of them are scholarship-worthy.
However, here is a list of some of many of the more intriguing names expected to be at the camp, including defensive tackle George Uko of Lugo High:

It is that time of week again folks, so send in a question of 50 words or fewer (it amazes me how every week at least a few folks send in longer questions, and I delete them) and I will post the answers Friday.

Since UCLA is a water polo powerhouse, I thought I would share with you that UCLA named a new men's and woman's coach. Here is the release from UCLA:

Thanks to a reader for pointing out this interview with former UCLA point guard Darren Collison from his workout with Golden State.

I know a lot of folks are wondering about UCLA's scholarship count heading into training camp.
Currently, if all of UCLA's signees (and JUCO commit Branden Warner) are eligible, coach Rick Neuheisel will have to clear four more scholarships to get down to the 85 limit.
For those wondering, this will not be an issue since scholarships must be renewed on an annual basis.

I thought it was worth mentioning UCLA right-hander Trevor Bauer was named the national freshman Pitcher of the Year by Collegiate Baseball Newspaper. Here is the complete release from UCLA:

Former UCLA tailback Aundre Dean is transferring to TCU, which I heard was his top option after he decided to leave the Bruins.

FSN will televise the Bruins' game against Kansas State at the Rose Bowl on Sept. 19, beginning at 7:15 pm. FSN will also televise the regular-season finale against USC at the Coliseum on Nov. 28. Kickoff is scheduled for 7:00 pm.
In addition, ESPN will televise UCLA's game against Tennessee in Knoxville on Sept. 12. Game time has yet to be determined.

The pre-trial hearing for UCLA safety E.J. Woods was put off until June 24, according to city attorney's office spokesman Frank Mateljan. He added the defense asked for a continuation in the case.
Woods is charged with six misdemeanor counts of battery, including two sexual battery counts.

UCLA target Josh Shirley, a linebacker from Kaiser Fontana, lists the Bruins, Tennessee, USC, Washington and Cal as schools he is looking at, but his decision won't come down strictly to football.
"Academics are first,'' he said. "I'm looking at business and marketing for life after football. On one play you can get hurt, and you need something to fall back on."
As for as on the field, Shirley said he plans on being a hybrid player, mixing between time between linebacker and defensive end.
"That way I can rush the quarterback, and do other things," Shirley said. "All the schools I'm talking to said I can do all that stuff."
Shirley said he was in no hurry to make a decision, and could wait until after his senior season to do so.

Here is an update from UCLA on football coach Rick Neuheisel's trip to the Middle East.

I spoke to Compton College defensive tackle Branden Warner, and he said he is graduating Thursday and he believed UCLA will have his transcripts by the end of the week.
I was told by a few sources that if Warner is graduating, he will get into UCLA.
There is talk Warner could sign scholarship papers, but he said he will enroll June 21, when the first summer session begins.

I spoke with Mt. SAC offensive lineman and UCLA signee Eddie Williams, and he said his plan is to enroll at UCLA June 21, when the first summer session begins.
He said he still has another week of school remaining, but he expects to get the necessary grades and be admitted to UCLA.
"it's been a long, tough road, having all this pressure on my back with school and life, work, friends family, bills,'' Williams said. "Like my coach would say, you prepare now for the rest of my life. It's been a long two years at the JUCO level. I can't wait to get to the next level."
Williams said he will enter UCLA at right guard, and will compete for the starting spot with Nick Ekbatani and Ryan Taylor.

Receiver Paul Richardson, who de-committed from UCLA last week, said the Bruins remain in the race for his services, but he feels markedly more comfortable after opening up his recruitment.
"I felt relieved after (the decision)," Richardson said. "I've felt more comfortable since I de-committed. I committed too early, and then I felt guilty when I was talking to other schools."
Richardson, who will play for Serra High next season after transferring from Los Alamitos, was the top receiver at the Scout.com combine during the weekend.
He said he wants to take at least four recruiting trips, but and added his list of schools is lengthy.
"UCLA is still high on my list,'' Richardson said.

I am hearing former UCLA running back Raymond Carter may look at transferring within the Pac-10, but if he does not, he is looking at UNLV, New Mexico State, Texas-El Paso and Texas A&M.