Early signing day story
Tyler Lamb said a month ago that his verbal commitment to UCLA was made of granite, that he would not back down.
It was, after all, the Mater Dei shooting guard's dream school.
"I'm solid on UCLA," Lamb said on Oct. 13. "I've always known I wanted to go there. When they offered me, it wasn't a question. I sat with my parents, and we all agreed on it. Once I gave me my word, that's what it was going to be."
And it was.
Lamb officially signed his letter-of-intent for Ben Howland's Bruins on Wednesday, seemingly a mere formality based on his overwhelming interest in UCLA.
For potential teammate Josh Smith, though, it was anything but.
Smith, who verbally committed to the Bruins on Monday after a seesaw battle with Washington, did not officially sign on Wednesday, and he said in a text message that he was not sure when he would. A UCLA source said that officials from Smith's Kentwood High were thought to be planning a official signing ceremony, which explained the delay.
The Bruins are anxiously awaiting another delayed commitment.
Harrison Barnes of Ames, Iowa, is expected to sign his letter of intent on Friday in a special ceremony, choosing among UCLA, North Carolina, Duke, Kansas, Oklahoma and Iowa State.
Lamb did not need any hysterics for his signing, not after waiting so long to become a Bruin.
"All that stuff is nice, but I don't think it's necessary," said Lamb, who signed at his high school. "I've worked so hard to get here from where I was, I've been waiting for this day. Mater Dei has a really big tradition and I wouldn't have wanted to sign anywhere but there."
If the Bruins can somehow land Barnes, they'll almost certainly end up with the nation's top recruiting class, as they continue to pursue point guard Ray McCallum out of Detroit Country Day and Trey Zeigler out of Mt. Pleasant, Mich.
"We have the potential to make a good run for the national championship with Josh Smith," Lamb said. "I think he's one of the best players in the country, with how big he is and how he can move. If we get one or two more guys, I think we can make a good run as we get older and gel."
Now Howland waits, and just hopes that UCLA's history can win over a few more.
"It's such a storied history, but these kids are 15, 16, 17 years old when we first start talking to them," Howland said. "They see us on TV all the time, and they've seen the recent success the program has had. But in terms of understanding the long-term history, I think sometimes mom and dad and coaches explain to them that this is a pretty special place."
Hey Jon, what do you think our chances are with Barnes? From what I have read, he seems to favor some of the east coast schools.
Hope he becomes the next great Basketball Barnes at UCLA... it was fun watching the last one (unrelated as far as I know).
Josh Smith is going to sign soon, his family is just arranging for a signing ceremony that many of them can attend. Also, you didn't mention Terrence Jones, another elite player that UCLA will hopefully sign.
Hey what is up??
I am hearing Terrence Jones is more likely than Barnes, but either one would be HUGE!!
McCallum is also key and a wildcard.
Jon (or anyone else),
I know this has been asked several times before, but I just haven't gotten an answer that makes sense.
Why has there been such a drop off in California high school bball talent over the last few years?
I'm really happy to get Lamb, but he is just a solid player, not a groundbreaking recruit. Is it completely coincidence? Is the rest of the country just getting better and our state is not? Or am I just perceiving something that isn't really happening? (Though, many others have asked this same question).
Thanks!
Jon,
Did you make a typo because in your story published in the SGV tribune? You wrote that Barnes chose UCLA fom a group that included NC, Duke, Kansas, Oklahomaand Iowa State.
I can't wait to see Lamb play, I've only read and heard excellent things about him. Seems like a great kid too.
To Anonymous, Tyler Lamb is more than just solid unless you think first round draft pick Arron Afflalo was just solid too. Also, there is tons of talent in the west coast in the last few years. Why do you think there isn't?
Anon - Lamb is going to be very good.
Greg Hicks, a scout.com analyst, had this to say when asked which Senior to draw a play up for with the game on the line:
"Since I only cover the West Coast, I will limit myself to players in the west. I'll go with Tyler Lamb. He can shoot the three, put the ball on the floor to create his own shot and he has the size and strength to finish inside against contact."
Plus I'm not seeing the talent drop off in CA the last few years. Holiday, DeRozen, Harden, Austin Daye, Budinger, Lopez twins, etc. Pretty good list of NBA players to come out of CA the last few years.
What about that Zeigler kid from michigan?
To the other Anon:
I'm certainly not discrediting Lamb, and especially not AA for that matter. If I remember correctly, Afflalo was good, not great, coming out of high school. He became magnificent under Coach Howland's guidance and remains one of my favorite Bruins.
I can see Lamb doing the same after a year or two of adapting to the college game.
I'm simply going off of the rankings by scout.com and rivals.com, where California has several really good recruits every year, but it seems as if the state used to have tons of other-worldly talent that perpetually ranked at the top every year.
It is arguably just a nitpicky observation, since great players in high school don't always emerge the same in college, and decent ones can absolutely dominate (Westbrook comes to mind). But I was just curious why CA recruits are no longer making up a significant portion of the 5 star athletes.
James Keefe should be considered a bust and overhyped coming out of high school. Just cannot believe he was a McDonald's HS All-American.