Westbrook Verbally Commits To UCLA

By Bruin Basketball Report

According to Scout.com, Russell Westbrook, a senior guard from Leuzinger High in Lawndale, California , has verbally comitted to play at UCLA next season; however at this time, the UCLA athletic department has not confirmed a verbal committment nor a signed national letter of intent from Westbrook.

Westbrook, a 6'3 175 lb guard, averaged 25.1 points per game, and scored more than 20 points in 22 of 28 games this season. He recorded a season-high 51 points and 14 rebounds against Carson in a January game. The senior guard also averaged an astounding 8.7 rebounds per game this season from his backcourt position.

Although recruited as a potential combo guard for the Bruins, Westbrook averaged 2.3 assists but also turned the ball over 3.6 times per contest. At Leuzinger, the fact Westbrook had the ball most of the time on offense and was counted on to score often may explain his subpar assists-to-turnover ratio; however, it will be interesting how his role will evolve on next year's squad.

Westbrook has clearly demonstrated the ability to be a scorer at the high school level, but it is his ball-handling skills and court vision, especially at the collegiate level, which will be tested during the offseason.

At point guard, whether or not sophomore guard Jordan Farmar leaves for the NBA, the Bruins still have Darren Collison and recently committed walk on, Mustafa Abdul-Hamid a standout guard from St. Louis; and thus the Bruins will have options besides Westbrook at the point - depending on how players develop during the offseason.

Yet, if either Farmar or Afflalo leave for the NBA draft this year, the signing of Westbrook certainly provides the Bruins with insurance in the backcourt for next season.

Westbrook led Leuzinger to the CIF I-AA quarterfinals this season before bowing out to East Valley of Redlands. He was a third-team All-State selection by CalHisports.com this year.

(BruinBasketballReport.com)