Marko Spica Signs National Letter of Intent with UCLA

Unable to land two big men from its own area, UCLA went nearly halfway around the world to get a player Bruins coach Ben Howland is yet to see in person. Two weeks after receiving a copy of Marko Spica's binding national letter of intent, Howland finally announced it Tuesday. UCLA said it wanted to receive the original copies of the letter of intent before making it public. However, the 6-foot-8, 225-pound Spica, who is attending the High School of Sport in Belgrade, Serbia and Montenegro, has yet to qualify, and must get through the NCAA clearinghouse before being eligible to play. He took the SATs last week, Howland said. L.A. Daily News

Marko Spica, a 6-9, 225-pound post player from Belgrade, Serbia and Montenegro, has signed a National Letter of Intent to play basketball at UCLA, Bruin head coach Ben Howland announced Tuesday. Spica will be an incoming freshman for the 2006-07 school year. "Marko is a skilled post player, who also has the ability to step out and make a shot," Howland said. "He and James Keefe give us two talented inside players for next season." UCLA Press Release

At his weekly news conference Tuesday, Howland announced that Marko Spica, of Serbia and Montenegro, a 6-foot-8 1/2 , 230-pounder, has signed a letter of intent to attend UCLA. "He is skilled," Howland said. "He can score down low. He can step out and shoot. He rebounds, he blocks out and he plays physical." Los Angeles Times

UCLA announced Tuesday, nearly one month after the November signing period, it has a national letter of intent from 6-foot-8 forward/center Marko Spica from Belgrade, Yugoslavia. Spica, who Coach Ben Howland said he has yet to meet or see play in person, has not yet gained admission to the university. O.C. Register