ProCity Notebook: James Keefe In Opening Game

By Bruin Basketball Report

UCLA incoming freshman, James Keefe, played his first game of the Nike L.A. Procity League at West Los Angeles College on Saturday afternoon.

Playing for the Sinclair Bruins, Keefe scored 10 points on 5 of 12 shooting and grabbed 5 rebounds to help the Bruins to a 80-72 victory over Salvatori's Squad.

Keefe began the game slowly making only 1 of 4 from the field and missing on 0 of 5 from the free throw line in the first half, but he became more comfortable with his teammates as the game progressed.

The former Rancho Santa Margarita HS senior played primarily power forward in the game, although on offense he was more effective playing from the wing than in the low post.

In the low blocks, Keefe had problems sealing off his defender at times - compounding this problem was the Bruin team's point-guard who seemed disinterested in passing into the post, if at all.

Keefe displayed excellent instincts with most of his baskets coming off either put-backs or on loose balls. He scored only once from the perimeter.

The incoming freshman will need to improve his strength and bulk if he is to play effectively in the low post next season. Keefe was too easily rooted out of rebounding position during times in the game.

Keefe has the body frame to accomadate additional bulk, and Coach Howland will no doubt have him in the weight room all summer and fall.

Although Keefe has better than average athleticism for a player his size, he does not appear to possess the quickness or sensational jumping ability to be a shotblocker at the college level. However, he plays excellent position defensive and changes a number of shots inside with his size and length.

The Sinclair Bruins featured many UCLA players on the team last summer. This summer's team should be not different although Keefe was the only UCLA Bruin playing on Saturday.

Other players expected to play on the team include Russell Westbrook and Luc Richard Mbah a Moute.

(BruinBasketballReport.com)