Love and Stanback Sign NLIs with UCLA

By Bruin Basketball Report

Kevin Love, a 6-10, 250-pound center from Lake Oswego HS (Lake Oswego, OR) and Chace Stanback, a 6-7, 210-pound guard/forward from Fairfax HS (Los Angeles) both signed a National Letter of Intent to attend UCLA, Bruin head coach Ben Howland announced Wednesday.

Wednesday is the first day of the early signing period that extends until Nov. 15.

Entering 2006-07, Love has many preseason prep honors, including being chosen as the number one center in the nation by virtually every scouting website and magazine in the country.

"Kevin Love signing with our program at UCLA is a huge and significant signing," Howland said. "He's the number one player in the country and he's the best passing and outlet passing big man that I've seen since Bill Walton at the college level. It is absolutely incredible the skill level he possesses for his size.

"In the history of UCLA basketball, we have never had a freshman average a double-double and I think that he definitely has that capability as a freshman next year. He's a very special talent, a great kid and has an unbelievable work ethic and attitude. The thing I appreciate the most about Kevin is that he makes everyone on his team better. This is a huge day for UCLA basketball."

Under head coach Harvey Kitani, Stanback led the Lions to a 24-3 overall record while averaging 18.3 points, 7.5 rebounds and 2.5 assists per game.

An All-State performer his first three prep seasons, Stanback was named first team All-City last year and was named co-Most Valuable Player for Fairfax last year. He was also named the Fairfax Most Outstanding Player his sophomore season and played with current Bruin Josh Shipp on the Lions' state championship team as a freshman (Shipp was a senior) in 2004.

"Chace Stanback is going to be an outstanding college basketball player," Howland said. "He comes from an outstanding high school program that also produced Josh Shipp."

"Chace has improved every year and also has a great attitude and work ethic. He has a great understanding of the game and is also a great passer and has always been a winner. He is a great addition to our program."

(photo credit: Oregonian and Rivals,com)