ucla to miss out on point guards

socalogo.gif (8739 bytes)
SoCalHoops Recruiting News

Bruin Watch: UCLA Likely To Miss
Out On Two, One Visits--(Aug. 5, 1999)

Both the HoopsScoop and Jim Downs are reporting the same thing about Andre Barrett ( 5'-9" Sr. PG) from New York's Rice HS, a guy who was considered to be among UCLA's top five point guard prospects: He will be holding a press conference today at which he will verbally commit to a college and thus end his recruitment. Well, not really "end" his recruitment, because until he signs a letter of intent, he's free to change his mind, but most guys take the verbal seriously, so it does count for something.

Barrett is reportedly likely to commit to a school somewhere other than on the West Coast. He has been recruited hard by Seton Hall, Syracuse, St. John's, Kentucky, and UCLA, but is believed to be favoring Seton Hall. If he does commit to Seton Hall, this might change the prospects for other UCLA recruits, and might open up a few more possibilites among highly ranked players, including (or so the speculation goes at the HoopScoop) for Taliek Brown (6'-1" Sr. PG) from St. John's Prep in New York, who also would be a very high target for UCLA; Brown has been rumored to have been very high on Seton Hall himself, but if Barrett commits there, everything could change. Of course, there's still Wesley Stokes (5'-11" Sr. PG) Long Beach Poly, if all of the big national guys go elsewhere.

And according to other sources, UCLA is also likely to get an unofficial campus visit from another top recruit, Darius Miles (6'-8" Sr. PF) from East St. Louis HS, in Illinois. Those who saw Miles at his best at the Nike Summer National Championships last week know that he could be the answer for the Bruins if Jerome Moiso leaves, as he is expected to after this season.

Stay tuned.