Report: Howland to be fired Sunday

Multiple reports indicate that UCLA could fire head coach Ben Howland as soon as Sunday.

Recruiting guru Alex Kline first reported the news, and SNY.tv’s Adam Zagoria followed up with more details.

Yahoo! Sports reported Saturday evening that Howland had been notified of his firing, with an official announcement to come within the next 48 hours.

“Contrary to multiple media reports this evening, UCLA has not fired men’s basketball coach Ben Howland,” the school said in a statement.

According to Zagoria, UCLA is looking at Florida’s Billy Donovan, Butler’s Brad Stevens, VCU’s Shaka Smart, Villanova’s Jay Wright and North Carolina State’s Mark Gottfried. Kline’s source said Smart is the No. 1 target, and that Kyle Anderson and Shabazz Muhammad are both headed for the NBA.

Sources also said the Bruins will try and retain assistant Korey McCray in order to try and keep freshmen Tony Parker and Jordan Adams from transferring. Although Parker said this weekend that he will discuss his future with his parents, Adams had told reporters two weeks ago that he intends on staying.

UCLA’s season ended Friday in an 83-63 loss to Minnesota in the first round of the NCAA tournament.

Asked after the game if Howland’s future would affect his decision, Parker responded vaguely: “It is what it is. We still have to play basketball. I still have a long summer.”

This post has been updated as news developed.