Forwards Travis Wear, Wanaah Bail return to practice

Senior Travis Wear and freshman Wanaah Bail both returned to practice with contact Wednesday afternoon, giving UCLA an infusion of depth in its frontcourt.

Wear started 31 of 32 games last season, averaging 10.9 points and 5.2 rebounds. The 6-foot-10, 230-pound forward had an appendectomy on Oct. 28, and has yet to play this season. He said he felt ready to return sooner, but doctors gave him a strict three-week recovery timetable. Continue reading “Forwards Travis Wear, Wanaah Bail return to practice” »

Freshman Noah Allen has surgery for facial fractures

UCLA forward Noah Allen had surgery for three fractures below his left eye this afternoon, coach Steve Alford said. The freshman suffered the injury in the last 34 seconds of Tuesday’s win over Oakland. There is currently no timetable for his return.

The 6-foot-6 wing played 11 minutes against the Golden Grizzlies, logging four points and five rebounds. He hit both his free throws after getting hit.

Senior forward Travis Wear is still on track for a potential Monday return against Sacramento State. He had an appendectomy on Oct. 28.

Freshman forward Wanaah Bail (knee) is projected to be out another 10-14 days.

Forward Wanaah Bail happy to be at UCLA


In his first media appearance in UCLA colors, forward Wanaah Bail declined to talk about his reasons for leaving Texas Tech. The 6-foot-9 forward, still recovering from knee surgery, originally signed with Texas Tech in 2012 but left the school that summer.

He signed with the Bruins in June, and was cleared last week by the NCAA to play this season.

“I’m happy to be here,” Bail said. “I’ve got a great group of guys around me. I love the coaching staff. Let’s move forward.”

Work on handle a lot more and his shot. Feels comfortable shooting anywhere inside 20 feet. He said his knee feels good, but he is not certain when he will be cleared to practice.

Forward Wanaah Bail eligible to play immediately

UCLA’s thin frontcourt received the big boost Tuesday afternoon.

The NCAA cleared freshman forward Wanaah Bail to play the 2013-14 season, clearing up a summer of doubt surrounding the former Texas Tech signee’s eligibility. The former three-star recruit adds depth to the Bruins three weeks away from the team’s Nov. 8 season opener against Drexel.

“We are grateful that this matter has come to a conclusion and are very happy for Wanaah,” head coach Steve Alford said in a statement. Continue reading “Forward Wanaah Bail eligible to play immediately” »

Basketball notes: Steve Alford talks guard rotation, schemes


UCLA officially started practicing this past Saturday, and the first 15 minutes of Monday’s afternoon session was open to the media. The Bruins didn’t do anything intensive to start, but freshman Bryce Alford manned the point while Kyle Anderson did individual drills at the other end of the court.

Anderson said he’s playing a lot more point guard than he did under former head coach Ben Howland, estimating the increase at roughly 90 percent.

Other notes: Continue reading “Basketball notes: Steve Alford talks guard rotation, schemes” »