Ray McCallum talks recruiting
Ray McCallum is one of the best point guards in the country, a 5-star recruit from Scout.com, and perhaps a future Bruin. He visited Westwood this weekend, along with Adidas National Team teammates Josh Smith and Trey Ziegler, and Mater Dei's Tyler Lamb was also in town.
I chatted with McCallum this weekend, and here's what he had to say after his visit
On his official visit this weekend:
"It was good - I've been to campus once, the summer going in junior year, so being back was real nice. I like the campus a lot. It's clean, kind of new to me - a good and fun place to be. Going into Pauley Pavilion, you get that whole feeling. That whole school is jamming."
On potentially choosing UCLA:
"They win. I'm all about winning, and they win. You always know you'll be in the NCAA tournament, you'll always compete for NCAA champ. It's a basketball school - they love basketball at this school."
On his biggest desire in recruiting:
"Most important thing I'm looking for is coming in and playing right away. I want to be in as a freshman and make an impact. Not be a role player or a team guy, I want to make my name known as a freshman."
On UCLA's NBA track record:
"It's real attractive right there. I want to be good enough and go to a school where I can bring my game to the next level. That's what they do over there. They've brought a lot of guards to the NBA the last few years. You go there and do their things, and it seems like they get you to the next level."
On the potential recruiting class with Josh Smith, Trey Ziegler, Harrison Barnes, etc.
"It tells you that they're trying to bring in the best of the best. I'm trying to go to a place I can play with the best guys in the country. You know if you go there you're going to have great players with you , great players to play with."
On scheduling his official visit with Trey Ziegler and Josh Smith:
"All three of us are real close. We've all played on the Adidas National Team for two years - we've all known each other. I had a lot of fun hanging out with those guys. They're good guys and good players, and it's always great to play with people you know."
On UCLA making the Final Four three straight times from 2006-2008:
"That right there tells you (Howland) must be doing something well. He keeps getting the right players in there. He's doing his job - the coaching staff, they're all good. They're going to do everything to try and make me play better."
On making his college decision:
"Right now I'm showing all these schools the same amount of love. My last visit is the first weekend of November. I don't know when I'm going to sign, early or late. I just think when the time is right, I 'll know."
Are you kidding me? Am I the only one to see this?
"Not be a role player or a team guy, I want to make my name known as a freshman."
"I'm trying to go to a place I can play with the best guys in the country."
That lets out Detroit Mercy, even if his dad is head coach.
"I want to be in as a freshman and make an impact."
Don't know about the PG depth chart at the other schools recruiting him, but we're looking thin at that position. I can't imagine the UCLA starting PG spot not being his to win.
Of course, this kid has been on the recruiting trail for a while, and seems to know how to say all the right things. Those above two quotes probably have no predictive value whatsoever.
Interesting stuff I just dont really know what to take from it. Seemed like he enjoyed the visit but if the most important thing is immediate playing then that might not bode as well for us. Arizona and UCLA are talked about as his two favorites and Arizona will really have no point guards when he were to start. Hopefully he sees the light and recognizes that starting as a Freshman isnt the end all be all.
I can't imagine any guy that admits to not being a team player being recruited by Ben Howland.
He doesn't want to be a team guy? Doesn't sound like he's a good fit for us. College hoops is in such a sad state right now. The one-and-done rule is killing it.
I agree with Jewin. I think it was Howland(and a million others) who suggested that players either go directly into the NBA or have to stay a minimum of 2 or 3 years in college. I think that would save college basketball.
I dont want to be a role player or a team guy. WTF?
OK well why dont you go play for Memphis or SUC or Kentucky with Coach Cal.
You arent a UCLA fit. You don't deserve to wear our colors.
If I was coach Howland I would stop recruiting him immediately after reading that.
Let's give the young man the benefit of the doubt. I believe he meant to say:
"I would really love to come to a school like UCLA, with all its tradition and talented players and make an immediate impact. At the same time, I would be thrilled to absorb all of the good basketball fundamentals coached by Ben Howland and his staff, as well as their 'life lessons.' I will work my hardest at academics and do my best to contribute in any way possible. I will volunteer in the community to help the plight that surrounds us all. I will eat right and get to bed early. It would be an honor to be a Bruin for four years and pursue my lifelong dream of a college degree in communications"
Yes, I'm sure that is what he meant to say.
C'mon. Do you really think he doesn't want to be a team guy? Give him a break, and chalk it up to being young, tired, a slip of the tongue, or a misquote. The kid is a coach's son and by all accounts, a tremendously bright and likable kid.
"Most important thing I'm looking for is coming in and playing right away. THIS I UNDERSTAND I want to be in as a freshman and make an impact. MMM, OK HE IS YOUNG Not be a role player or a team guy, WAIT A MINUTE I want to make my name known as a freshman." OH NO NO NO NO NO
I think the young man just misspoke. Watching his video, he seems like a team player to me. So I don't think that his approach to the game is going to be a real issue. Especially being the son of a coach, he seems to understand the game well. I'm kind of glad he has that attitude. Everyone criticized Holiday for not being selfish enough. He was labelled the consummate team player and still left after one year. Can't have it both ways, can we?
Are you KIDDING ME? You guys are WAY over reacting man. Of course he wants to play in the NBA. Show me one NCAA player who doesn't. That's not a bad thing, that's a good thing. What do you expect him to say? I want to play in the NDBL?
I think he misspoke. I agree with Jerzy. He is a Coach's son for god sakes. You think he doesn't want to be a team player? Please. I think he meant that he doesn't want to be just another guy on the team or Freshman riding the pine. He wants to be a star. What player doesn't want that? What player doesn't want to or dream of taking the game winning shot? Howland is NO dummy. How many BAD recruits has he brought in the last few years? Howland has made it clear. If you don't play his style, you will RIDE the PINE. He gets the message. Pay attention. What else does he say?
"You go there and do their things, and it seems like they get you to the next level."
"That right there tells you (Howland) must be doing something well. He keeps getting the right players in there. He's doing his job - the coaching staff, they're all good. They're going to do everything to try and make me play better."
Bottom line is, he's going to listen to Ben, because Ben has credibility.
Wow, you all need to chill. He is not a selfish player at the high school level. He wants to play, not ride the pine, bfd.
CBH has been recruiting him pretty hard and if he does not play for his dad it is UA or UCLA. We could really use him and he has no intention of being one and done.
pass on this kid Ben! he doesnt want to be a team player? ans sounds like he wants to be a one and done.
Jonathan, Jonathan, Jonathan...
It is RAYMOND McCallum (at least according to a certain poster on Bruin Report Online)
Ah yes! Nothing like a little blog to get the juices flowing!
I agree with most of you. People tend to overreact to what players say when they're being recruited. Remember, this is their 15 minutes of fame! This is their time to say what they want and how they want. And as a tenager, he probably just said what he felt in the wrong way. Give him a break. I would personally love to have all three at UCLA. Having a big time center like Smith would help the outside shooting. Having a point guard who can dish the ball will help spread the ball around. And adding another shooting guard can only help open up the offense.
Coach Howland knows what he's doing and he wouldn't go after a player that wasn't to his liking. Believe me, even if McCallum wanted to be the only star on the team, Howland will quickly fix that and make him a wonderful team player. Bank on it!
The only feeling I have is that he'll take a long, long time to decide. I don't think he's anywhere near a decision.
Thanks
JG
Jon....do you have any "feeling" on McCallum's lean?
It's obvious he's trying to see where his dad ends up before committing. Depending on how his father season ends up, he might get a shot at a better program, or get canned. No need to commit with so many variables up in the air. I don't think he will sign anywhere before January or February, whether he commits before then or not.
Recall the Detroit Titans beating your Bruins in the 1st round of the NCAA's?!?!
He and possibly one other from the trip will be playing in Detroit for the Titans next year!!