It’s hard to tell who’s more excited that Norman Powell is joining the UCLA basketball program – Norman Powell or Ben Howland?
Lincoln High (San Diego) shooting guard, rated the No. 15 off-guard in the country by Scout.com, signed a national letter of intent with the Bruins on Wednesday afternoon, finally sealing the deal on what had been a heated recruitment.
“I’m overexcited,” said Powell, who verbally committed to UCLA in September over Arizona and San Diego State. “Words can’t explain how I feel right now. I’m so relieved I get to go a college I’ve been looking to since I was little.”
Howland, who said he was just “really excited” about Powell joining the program, gets a highlight-reel caliber athlete who should thrive in the Bruins’ increasingly up-tempo offense. Powell averaged 19.7 points and 4.9 rebounds as a junior while leading the Hornets to a 29-2 record and a CIF Division II state championship.
“He’s one of the most athletic kids that we will have had in this program in a while and one of the most athletic kids since I’ve been here,” Howland said. “He’s very explosive and has outstanding quickness and will be an excellent defensive player. He’s very good at making plays, both for himself and his teammates.”
With only one scholarship currently available for next year – UCLA has 10 scholarship players but two more will go to David and Travis Wear, who are currently redshirting after transferring from North Carolina during the offseason – Howland searched extensively for a high-level point guard.
The No. 4 point guard in the nation, Quinn Cook of Oak Hill Academy, spurned the Bruins for Duke last week, and UCLA is not likely to seek another until perhaps the spring.
But Powell is excited to head to UCLA on a solo mission, hoping to make an immediate impact.
“That’s the best feeling right there,” Powell said. “I’m the only player in the class right now, and they’re looking for me to show that ability. It’s exciting, but it’s a lot of pressure. I know a lot of people are looking at me to change UCLA basketball and take them another step further. I like that Coach Howland is looking to me so early.”
If the Bruins continue to push the pace, Powell could get his shot.
The team is employing a more up-and-down philosophy than in recent history, with Howland realizing he had the athletes to make the transition.
He will add another next season.
“A lot of people talked to me about why I made my decision, that they’re a slow team,” Powell said. “They’re really trying to get an up-tempo pace. I feel like I can step in there and be that leader in that offense. That’s my style, and I can’t wait to help.”