Five-star forward Kevon Looney commits to UCLA

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UCLA pulled off its first major coup of the Steve Alford era on Halloween, landing five-star power forward Kevon Looney.

Not only is the Milwaukee native rated the No. 13 player in the country by Rivals.com, he also fulfills a major need for the Bruins. Last season, UCLA had the worst rebounding margin in the Pac-12.

The 6-foot-9 power forward should start immediately when he arrives for the 2014-15 season. A versatile player who can hit the boards and stretch the floor, he has drawn at least one comparison to Oklahoma City Thunder star Kevin Durant.

The Bruins are already light in the frontcourt as constructed. Next season, twins Travis and David Wear will have graduated, leaving Tony Parker and Wanaah Bail as the only big men on the roster.

Looney’s other finalists were Duke, Florida, Wisconsin, Tennessee and Michigan State. Few recruiting analysts picked the Bruins to win out. UCLA had already lost its first commitment, swingman Trevon Bluiett, and only had unknown Turkish Hungarian forward Gyorgy Goloman committed to its 2014 class.

Nov. 13 is the first day recruits can fax in their letters of intent.