Former UCLA Coach Bartow Named Grizzlies President

By Bruin Basketball Report

Former UCLA Head Coach Gene Bartow, 77, was hired Thursday  as president of Hoops LP, the company that operates the Memphis Grizzlies and their arena, the FedExForum.

Bartow will forever be known as the man who succeeded Coach John Wooden at UCLA.  Bartow compiled a 52-9 (.852) coaching record in two seasons and led the Bruins to the Final Four in 1976. 

However, after losing in the first round of the West Regionals to Idaho St. in 1977, he found the pressure of following such a legendary figure too difficult to handle and resigned.

After UCLA, Bartow went to UAB and helped create the athletic program and served as the school's first head basketball coach and athletic director.  In 1997 UAB named its basketball venue Bartow Arena in his honor

Bartow has been a special adviser to the Grizzlies since the team relocated to Memphis in 2001.

“I am pleased with the confidence shown in me by Mike Heisley and
excited about the opportunity, Bartow said. “I am optimistic about
facing the challenge with General Manager Chris Wallace, Head Coach
Marc Iavaroni and President of Business Operations Andy Dolich. When
Mark and Chris were appointed I felt that Grizzlies fans were in for
some exciting times. I have watched what they have already done since
joining us, which has only increased my optimism about the future. I am
honored by the opportunity Michael Heisley has given me to serve the
organization.”

Earlier in his career Bartow had coaching stints at Central Missouri University and Valparaiso.  In 1973 he was named NCAA Coach of Year after leading Memphis State (now University of Memphis) to the Final Four championship game against UCLA.  Bartow then coached at Illinois (8-18) for a single season in 1974 before moving westward to coach at  UCLA.

(photo credit: Master Coaches)

UCLA Hoop Schedule Changed To Accomodate TV

In a meeting earlier this week, the Pacific-10 Conference Athletic Directors approved several changes involving UCLA and its 2007-08 men’s basketball schedule. The changes were made to better accommodate television.

All of the changes to the 2007-08 men’s basketball schedule involved Pac-10 games. More information regarding the Pac-10 television schedule will be released at a later date.

The first update is that a time was added to the Bruins’ home contest against Washington State, which will be at 11:30 a.m. on Saturday, Jan. 12.

The Bruins’ home contests against the Arizona schools were flipped as UCLA will now host Arizona State on Thursday, Jan. 31, followed by Arizona on Saturday, Feb. 2.

Additionally, the Bruins’ home contests against the Bay area schools were also flipped, leaving UCLA hosting Stanford on Thursday, March 6, followed by California on Saturday, March 8.

Three additional games involving UCLA road contests were moved from Saturday to Sunday. UCLA will now be at Washington on Sunday, Feb. 10, at USC on Sunday, Feb. 17 and at Arizona on Sunday, March 2. Additionally, a tip-off of 7:00 p.m. was announced for the Bruins’ clash with the Trojans.
       

UCLA, the defending back-to-back regular season Pac-10 champion, opens defense of its conference crown in early January at Stanford (Jan. 3). The 2008 Pac-10 Tournament, featuring all 10 teams, will once again be held at the Staples Center in downtown Los Angeles (March 12-15).

link to 2007-08 UCLA Schedule

(UCLA Athletics)

Bruin Recruiting: Prep News Roundup (8/13)

By Bruin Basketball Report

Prep News Roundup is published every Monday.

Commits

Burlison: The 10 best players I saw who attend Southern California high schools are, alphabetically (and regardless of class), Jerime Anderson (Canyon of Anaheim), DeRozen, Jordan Hamilton (Dominguez), Jrue Holiday, Malcolm Lee (J.W. North in Riverside), Renardo Sidney (Artesia), Klay Thompson (Santa Margarita), David and Travis Wear (Mater Dei) and Jeff Withey (San Diego Horizon). Press-Telegram 8/6

All 24 players have been selected for the second annual Boost Mobile Elite 24 Hoops Classic.: Drew Gordon, Archbishop Mitty (San Jose, Calif.) -- UCLA has another great one coming in Gordon, a senior big man who can dominate a game defensively....Jrue Holiday, Campbell Hall (North Hollywood, Calif.) -- A UCLA-bound senior combo guard who's one of the best scorers in the country. Sports Illustrated 8/8

Bob Gibbons’ first team consisted of Samardo Samuels, who has committed to Louisville, Delvon Roe (Michigan State), Scotty Hopson (Mississippi State), Jrue Holiday (UCLA) and Brandon Jennings (Arizona) KU Sports 8/11

Recruits

Texas center J'Mison Morgan moved up from No. 39 to 23rd in the latest ranking. The 6-foot-10 prospect hails from South Oak Cliff High School in the Dallas area. Jackets Online 8/6

All 24 players have been selected for the second annual Boost Mobile Elite 24 Hoops Classic.: Renardo Sidney, Artesia (Lakewood, Calif.) -- Arguably the nation's best player in the Class of 2009 thanks to his combination of perimeter skills and low-post size at 6-foot-9, Sidney is the real deal. Sports Illustrated 8/8

UConn coach Jim Calhoun is hosting an elite basketball camp Friday and Saturday at Gampel Pavilion.  The camp, open to all advanced varsity level high school players, should attract some of the nation's and area's top players, a handful who are on the Huskies' recruiting radar....Other UConn recruits who might attend are Jordan Hamilton, a 6-7 forward from Los Angeles in the high school Class of 2009. Courant 8/9

Jordan Hamilton, a member of the Class of 2009, displayed a wide range of skills. A smooth 6-7, 210-pound forward, he has UConn on his list along with Texas, Arizona, North Carolina State and Syracuse. “Connecticut is a school I really like,” Hamilton said. “It's in my top three. ... I think it's a great school.” The Day 8/11

Despite a shaky summer, Renardo Sidney held on to the top spot in the class of 2009 rankings. Consistency has always been an issue for the Artesia (Calif.) High School product. When the 6-foot-10, 250-pound forward is clicking on all cylinders, he's one of the most intriguing players in the nation. However, there are times when goes through the motions and doesn't tap into his natural abilities....California wing Hollis Thompson crept into the five-star rankings, moving from 36th to the No. 24 spot. Gator Bait 8/9

Ralph Sampson III, the 6-11 son of former Virginia and NBA star Ralph Sampson, was expected to visit UK this weekend.  The center from Duluth, Ga., has also visited Georgia Tech and Minnesota. Courant 8/12