Quotables: Ben Howland on the Wear transfers
Opening Statement: "I'm just so excited, so happy, just elated about both David and Travis Wear signing their scholarship letters to attend UCLA. No. 1 fantastic players who are just going to be better and better because of their work ethic and drive to be great. But they're equally great kids, young men who represent the ideals of UCLA."
What position do you project them at for the Bruins?
"They're forwards, both very capable of stepping out to shoot out on the perimeter. David has even show the ability to match up sometimes with the three. They've been very well coached - we're talking about four years in the Mater Dei program. They really know how to play, how to defend. They did a great job of teaching defense. They're very versatile, we'll be able to play them in a lot of ways."
Talk about getting the Wears a year after you lost them to North Carolina:
"Obviously we were disappointed when we didn't get them originally. But I'm so thankful how things work out. You think now: They'll have one year to practice every day, getting bigger and stronger. We're looking forward to having them on campus this summer. You're talking about hitting the ground floor running - they're going to be hitting the ground floor sprinting. I just feel very, very good that this ended up. I've always thought the world of them, both as players and as young men."
The Wears said that some schools offered one but not the other, was that ever a thought?
"Absolutely not. I can't even imagine who did that. That blows me away. They're both really good, and they're very close, too. Identical twins, have a very close bond, really are supportive of each other. You're getting two really good players, not just one."
Can you tell them apart?
"Once you get to know people over years, even identical twins, you can tell them apart. Right now, David has longer hair than Travis. Even when they have the same exact length, I can tell them apart."
How will they help you this year when they have to redshirt?
"It's going to obviously help. That's how you get better. We've had really good teams here in the past, Darren Collison competing against Jordan Faramar, Russell Westbrook competing against Collison. When you have that level of competition in practice, that's how you get better day in and day out. Even though they won't be able to play this year, it really helps our team to have them every day."
Why do you think they left North Carolina?
"There's no place as living in Southern California. That to me is a no-brainer. You don't really learn that until you live in other parts of the country. I know they'll really be happy being close to home, close to mom and dad, close to friends."
"Can you tell them apart?"
Wow, nice question, LOL - how did VB get a press pass??
As promising as the transfer of the Wear brothers seems to be for UCLA, I am equally excited to hear the enthusiasm voiced by Coach Howland. I have not seen either of these young men play, but Coach Howland seems to have been watching them for a while. My guess (hope) is that he recognizes that they will fit well with his coaching style and philosophy. I would also like to thank Coach Howland for not taking the opportunity to disparage other programs in his comments. I have never met Coach Howland, but I am excited for our program, and remain confident in his capabilities. Go Bruins.
So basically we traded Morgan and Moser for the Wear twins, not a bad trade
Especially since the twins aren't being touted as one-and-done, or even two-and-done. Would be nice to see them have a 'career' at UCLA. Would be nice!
Hope CBH gets a couple of non-one-and-done good guards and we will be pretty solid for the next few years.
I can definitely see them being three and done.