Bruin Recruiting: Prep News Roundup (9/10)

By Bruin Basketball Report

Prep News Roundup is published every Monday.

Commits

Kevin Love, a freshman at UCLA, about his experience, as well as the upcoming season.
“Definitely playing ball with top competition is always a plus, but we get to have a little culture here, too,” said the slimmer-looking Love, who told me he’s down to a svelte 250. “I like that we have to adapt to the NBA playing style in the games here. It’s a good opportunity to prove ourselves to scouts.”
“I didn’t get to really bring out my wing stuff in high school, but I’ve been really working on my perimeter game,” he continued. “Right now, I’m just focused on winning a Pac-10 chip. All the individual goals come after that. SLAM 9/4

In an exclusive interview with HOOPSWORLD, Kevin Love admitted that he might go pro in 2008 should the opportunities present themselves and - as all players hope to do - he hopes to follow Oden's example as next year's number one overall pick. He is patient, though, and said that he is in no rush to the test the NBA waters. "I'm trying to keep humble, keep a level head as best I can, just try to work as hard as I can in trying to be the next best thing," Love added. "You know, Greg's going to be a tough act to follow, because he's one in every twenty-five years. So I'm just looking to be the best player I can be. I'm not looking to be anyone else, I'm just trying to be the first Kevin Love." HoopsWorld 9/4

UCLA - The Bruins have the best backcourt recruited on the west coast in many a year. The group is headed by Jrue Holiday (6) and two other tremendous talents in Malcolm Lee (23) and Jerime Anderson (35).  For good measure, throw in a potential first round draft choice down the road once he fills out and develops in Drew Gordon (31). UCLA's still looking for another big man and has sights on and J'Mison Morgan (39), Matt Simpkins (63) and Ralph Sampson Jr. (78). The Bruins might even step out and get a talented scorer in Renaldo Woolridge (75). CSTV 9/6

Recruits

Hollis Thompson, a 6-foot-8 junior basketball player at Los Angeles
Loyola, almost gave his mother, Debra, a heart attack when she
discovered the phone bill had exceeded $800 for one month this summer. "I kind of knew it would be high," Thompson said. "So many different colleges were texting me, so I had to text back." Starting June 15, when college coaches could begin to contact him,
Thompson's cellphone rang nonstop. Coaches from Duke, UCLA, USC,
Georgetown, Arizona and Stanford called or sent text messages....
Add the fact he has a 4.2 grade-point average, and Thompson has put himself in position to select any college he wants.He grew two inches over the summer, raised his weight to 185
pounds and became a better ballhandler and more consistent shooter. "Really, it's been a lot of work in the gym," he said. LA Times 9/4

Kansas coach Bill Self can start making in-home visits with recruits
Sept. 9. According to JayhawkSlant.com, Self will visit J’Mison Morgan
of South Oak Cliff High School in Dallas Sept. 10. Morgan is ranked as
the 23rd best player in the country by Rivals.com. Daily Kansan 9/6

The Tigers will host two high-profile recruits this weekend when J’Mison Morgan of Dallas and Wesley Witherspoon from suburban Atlanta come to town on official visits.
Morgan (ranked No. 23 nationally by Rivalshoops, 29th by Scout) is a 6-10, 275-pound center who plays at South Oak Cliff, the same program that produced Kansas sophomore Darrel Arthur. Morgan has trimmed his recruiting list to LSU, Kansas, Alabama, Kentucky and UCLA. His AAU coach is Greg “Jazzy” Hartwell, a Baton Rouge native. 2TheAdvocate 9/6

(photo credit: Los Angeles Times)