ucla update

socalogo.gif (8739 bytes)
SoCalHoops Recruiting News

UCLA Recruiting Update: Speaking
Of Nigerians & More. . . --(Sept. 27, 1999)

We have heard a lot about UCLA recruiting lately, and we've got some news. We actually got a chance to talk with one of UCLA's top prospects, the 6'-8" Ominiyi Makun, one of the Nigerians that UCLA discovered not too long ago, who is currently living in Long Beach studying the methods for taking the SAT taught by Tryfon Castritis, the same guy who was recently featured in a piece on ESPN's website (by the way, why is it that all these Greek guys somehow find their way to the Belmont Shore area of Long Beach?).

Makun (who prefers to be called "Ni"), is a very formidable looking young man; he's a very polite, seemingly very bright with an almost studious look about him, and he's one of the most well-spoken players (and that includes native-born American players) we've met. Our encouter was brief, but we touched on a number of subjects. "I'm really looking forward to coming to UCLA and playing here," he told us. "I have a bit of work to do to catch up, and hopefully, the University will decide that I am qualified so I can begin to play with the team as soon as possible," Ni told us.

We had our digital camera with us during the meeting, but considering it was pitch dark outside, and we didn't want to blind him with a flash, we decided to just talk about things rather than start shooting photos. But we can say that he's big, really strong, a very well-defined upper body, powerful looking; he was wearing his hair in dreadlocks the day we saw him, and don't know if that is typical for him, but it was distinctive. He was with one of the other Nigerians during our meeting, Benjamin Iti (at least we believe that's his name), the one who has reportedly committed to Louisville, and he's even bigger and stronger looking than Ni, which is saying a lot. Both of these guys are clearly NBA prospects, and if they can play at all, expect to see them in the league someday.

Ni told us that he's enjoying SoCal. "I like the music, the weather, the girls, and everything about Westwood, but for now I'm just trying to study hard. I have a lot of work to do." We were also surprised at how well Makun spoke English, and he told us that English is more than a second language. "I've spoken English most of my life. In school we spoke English, so it comes naturally to me."

Asked about what he saw as his role on the team if he's accepted and cleared to play at UCLA he said, "Well, my specialty is rebounding. I'm a rebounding specialist, and I think I will do good things here as a rebounder. I can also shoot, but I love to rebound," Makun told us. "I'm trying to work on speed, because the guys who play in the gym at UCLA are very fast. It is a different style of basketball than we play at home."

He also told us that he has been playing at the men's gym in some of the pickup games (which by now is reaalllly old news to those who follow UCLA basketball) and he likes the guys he's been playing with on the team. "I like most of the guys I've met, and I think I'll fit in well," Makun told us.

Makun is planning on taking the SAT during October, and hopefully he'll have his results in time so he can determine whether he'll be able to join the team in December, or whether he'll have to wait.

In the meantime, UCLA continues to recruit Phillip Ricci (6'-8" So. PF), a JUCO player we have yet to see, but who we hear is the real deal. UCLA also recently had home visits with Travon Bryant (6'-8" Sr. PF) from Long Beach Jordan, who is being hotly pursued by Missouri's Quinn Snyder (who is also recruiting Travon's buddy, Wesley Stokes (5'-10" Sr. PG) from Long Beach Poly), and the coaches also met over the weekend with Andrew Zahn (6'-9" Sr. PF) from Redondo Union who is also entertaining offers from Washington, Washington State and Oregon.

Apparently UCLA did not have a home visit with DeMarcus Williams (6'-9" Sr. PF) from Upland as was widely reported here and elsewhere. We spoke with DeMarcus about it at the Pump Fall Premier Classic on Saturday at some length and he told us that for now UCLA is holding off on setting up any further visits with him until they determine just how many scholarships will be available after the fall period. DeMarcus is a very bright, articulate guy, who would really make a great fit at UCLA, and we were disappointed that UCLA had decided not to conduct the in-home visit, but not nearly as disappointed as DeMarcus was. "Hopefully they'll decide that they want to meet with me, because they would be right there among the top choices for me. My family is very important, and I'd like to stay close to home if possible," DeMarcus told us. "Of course, I'm also considering schools that aren't so close to home. I really had a great visit with the coaches from Wyoming, and I really like [assistant] coach Vonn Webb. He's really easy to get along with." DeMarcus wants to major in Biology and Business (with capital "B's"), "I'd like to combine science and biology with some sort of business involving professional sports, so the business school and science departments are very important to me." DeMarcus is also being recruited by Pepperdine, UC Irvine, UC Riverside, St Mary's, and several others.

Finally, UCLA is also recruiting Josh Moore (7'-0" Gr. PF/C), the same guy who, at the Dada Classic this past April at UCLA's Pauley Pavilion (formerly the Eddie Jones Classic), dunked the ball over the top of the rim while standing flat-footed. Moore is HUGE, and while not especially fast when we saw him two summers ago, we bumped into him at the Maccabi Games in August which were held at the Cherry Hills, NJ, East High School gym, and he looked to be in great shape. Apparently, Moore has been released from his letter of intent with Rutgers, and has been cleared by the NCAA to sign with any other school that will take him. The word is now that he's trying to gain admission to UCLA, since the school's admission standards are higher than those of the NCAA bare-minimums. Moore is, according to Clark Francis at HoopScoop, a huge UCLA fan, and always has been, so perhaps he's a favorite in addition to Makun to get the two big-man spots that UCLA is recruiting.

And finally, on the subject of DeShawn Stevenson, no news and no further change of status, meaning we'd still have to believe that Fresno State, which has offered him 35 minutes of time a night and all the shots he can take, is still the leader. But don't count the Bruins out either.