Lamb transfers to Long Beach St.

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Former UCLA guard Tyler Lamb picked a destination today after deciding transfer out on Nov. 25, three days before center Josh Smith elected to do the same. A week after Smith decided on Georgetown, Lamb announced that he will head 33 miles down the 405 to Long Beach State.

The junior guard also visited UNLV last month before settling on the 49ers and San Diego State as his final two choices.

After averaging 9.0 points, 3.6 rebounds and 2.8 assists as a sophomore, Lamb had arthroscopic surgery in his left knee in October. Since he only played in the Bruins’ season opener against Indiana State — scoring four points in 14 minutes — before sitting out with swelling in that knee, Long Beach State will likely try to get him a medical redshirt.

The 6-foot-5 guard will also be reunited with former Mater Dei teammate Keala King, who went to LBSU after being dismissed by Arizona State.

Lamb left UCLA due to lack of playing time. The addition of freshmen Shabazz Muhammad and Jordan Adams, now the team’s two leading scorers, left him crowded out of the rotation.

“I would like to thank the University, Coach (Ben) Howland and his staff for the unparalleled opportunity to have been a part of UCLA’s program,” Lamb said in a statement the day he left. “However, I believe that it is in my best interest to find a new destination where I can continue to grow, both as a person and as a basketball player. I am eternally grateful to my coaches and teammates for everything they have given me, and I wish them the best going forward.”