Back in late April, coach Ben Howland and the UCLA Bruins were fresh off assembling the #1 rated recruiting class in the nation, and had a fighting chance at getting back to the program’s rightful place among the NCAA elite teams.
But then came the disappointing news that fellow Top 5 rated recruits Shabazz Muhammed and Kyle Anderson were both ruled ineligible pending a thorough NCAA investigation of their amateur statuses.
Losing Muhammed and Anderson, both considered potential 2013 Lottery selections, for the entire season could prove disastrous for UCLA, who haven’t made a deep NCAA run since the Kevin Love led Bruins made the program’s 3rd straight appearance in the Final Four back in 2008.
While Muhammed’s situation appears more murky, Anderson’s case has been gone over with a finely toothed comb and has officially been cleared for competition. The coaching staff made the decision to play Anderson in a few exhibition games prior to the season, with good results, prior to the NCAA Clearinghouse shutting Anderson down.
Now the only problem for coach Howland is whether to play the 6’9, Magic Johnson-esque Anderson at the more conventional small forward position or his natural point guard spot that Anderson played in high school.
Kyle Anderson’s Senior Year Highlights:
Allen Moll has been a lifelong NBA and NCAA College Basketball fan who watches and studies games religiously, and coaches youth basketball in his native Lehigh Valley region of Pennsylvania. Allen has also provided content to Bleacherreport.com, Upperdeckblog.com, Cleveland.com, CSN Philly.com, Buckets Magazine, in addition to being a tenured NBA and NCAA columnist for TheHoopDoctors.com.
