Chace Stanback Verbally Commits to UCLA

By Bruin Basketball Report

According to multiple college basketball recruiting services, Chace Stanback, a 6'8 junior wingman from nearby Fairfax HS, verbally committed to the UCLA over the weekend.

Stanback, a four-star recruit, is one of the top junior basketball players in California, and was named to the All-State second team for juniors by CalHiSports this season. He is ranked by various basketball recruiting services between the 12th to 15th top-rated small forward nationally in the class of 2007.

The junior standout is still growing into his body, having grown almost three inches over the past 18 months. He will only continue to get better and stronger during the upcoming season - playing for Fairfax Head Coach Harvey Kitani and his elite Lion team ensures this will happen.

During his sophomore year at Fairfax, Stanback exhibited a strong, silky smooth mid-range game but lacked the strength and aggressiveness to be a complete basketball player on both ends of the court. However over this past season, he has improved his strength and quickness and not only has increased his shooting range, but has become a much better defender and rebounder - both important traits for a Coach Ben Howland top recruit.

He helped lead Fairfax (24-3) this season to a No. 12 national ranking and a No.2 City ranking. Fairfax reached the semifinals of the City Sectionals before losing to Westchester.

Stanback averaged 18.7 points a game this season and grabbed a team-high 9.9 rebounds a game. As a sophomore, he averaged 13.4 points a game for Fairfax.

Although Stanback was recruited to play both the off-guard and small forward positions at UCLA, where he actually ends up playing when he arrives in Westwood will be dependent on his physical maturation and basketball skills development over the next year. However, considering he is already 6'8 and still filling out, it would appear he is slotted for the small forward position.

With the verbal commitment by Stanback, Howland keeps yet another local elite player in town. Next season, top 2006 local recruits James Keefe and Russell Westbrook will join the Bruin squad.

At this time, the Bruins have twelve underclassmen under scholarship for the 2006 season - the school is allowed thirteen in a season. Chace Stanback's commitment means he would hold the thirteenth scholarship in 2007.

Of course, if either Jordan Farmar or Arron Afflalo leaves for the NBA either this season or next - which appears almost certain at this point, it would open up scholarships for additional 2007 players, specifically Lake Oswego's Kevin Love, South Medford's Kyle Singler, or Crenshaw's Darnell Gant.

Lastly, Marko Spica, a 2006 class recruit from Serbia Montenegro, still has not received a qualifying SAT score for admission to attend UCLA next fall, and thus, his scholarship spot for next season is still in question. Spica has until the end of this school year to gain admission to attend UCLA next fall.

(BruinBasketballReport.com)

(photo credit: Steve Clark, THR)