UCLA basketball team will redshirt Prince Ali, Alex Olesinski

UCLA sophomores Prince Ali (knee) and Alex Olesinski (foot)  announced Wednesday they will redshirt this season after injuries shelved them longer than expected

UCLA sophomores Prince Ali (knee) and Alex Olesinski (foot) announced Wednesday they will redshirt this season after injuries shelved them longer than expected

Injuries coupled with a potential lack of playing time led two UCLA sophomores to announce Wednesday night they will redshirt this season. Prince Ali and Alex Olesinski will not take part in a season that is shaping up to be a special one for the No. 4 Bruins basketball team.

Both players recently returned to practice, but it took Ali longer than expected to recover from surgery on his meniscus July 15. Olesinski suffered a stress reaction in his left foot the week before the season began that lingered long enough to keep him off the practice court until this week.

Ali, an athletic 6-foot-3 shooting guard once a 4-star recruit, would have a hard time even equaling the 11 minutes per game he played as a freshman considering UCLA already employs four accomplished guards. Olesinski, a 6-10 power forward, has four front court players ahead of him in the rotation, including one of the best freshman in the country, TJ Leaf. Continue reading “UCLA basketball team will redshirt Prince Ali, Alex Olesinski” »

UCLA shooting guard Prince Ali facing possibility of redshirting

Considering the talent and depth of its guard rotation, UCLA is considering redshirting sophomore guard Prince Ali (5), who is yet to return from July knee surgery

Considering the talent and depth of its guard rotation, UCLA is considering redshirting sophomore guard Prince Ali (5), who is yet to return from July knee surgery

It’s possible that guard Prince Ali may not return at all this season from July knee surgery initially expected to shelve him for minimum of four months. UCLA coach Steve Alford said Tuesday he wasn’t ruling out the possibility of redshirting the sophomore, who is still likely multiple weeks away from a return.

“Probably this time next week we need to sit and have a discussion just on his future,” Alford said. “I always want to do what’s best for the player, just see what he’s thinking, get some thoughts that as we break for Christmas, he can talk to family.”

Ali, a four-star recruit from Weston, Fl., averaged 3.9 points in 11.8 minutes per game as a freshman. He may be the best athlete on the team, but there isn’t much room for him in a guard rotation that has already forced one of last season’s starters to the bench. Continue reading “UCLA shooting guard Prince Ali facing possibility of redshirting” »

UCLA basketball likely to be without Prince Ali to start season

UCLA shooting guard Prince Ali had surgery on his left meniscus Friday, according to the school’s athletic department, and isn’t likely to be ready for the season opener Nov. 11. The 6-foot-3 sophomore suffered the injury July 8 playing basketball in open gym.

Ali was a key reserve last season, but an increase in his role this coming season wasn’t a certainty given the arrival of Naismith High School Player of the year, freshman point guard Lonzo Ball.

Ali, a four-star recruit from Weston, Fl., averaged 3.9 points in 11.8 minutes per game as a freshman. The speculation is that Ball’s arrival will shift Bryce Alford from point guard to shooting guard. Ali was likely to serve as Alford’s primary backup. Continue reading “UCLA basketball likely to be without Prince Ali to start season” »