By Bruin Basketball Report
Sophomore forwards David and Travis Wear have signed written offers of financial aid and will attend UCLA this coming year, Bruin men's basketball head coach Ben Howland announced today.
The Wears (6-10, 230), who both earned McDonald's All-America honors at Mater Dei High School in Orange County, played this past season at North Carolina and received their releases earlier this month. They will redshirt in 2010-11 per NCAA rule and have three years of eligibility beginning in 2011-12.
"I am absolutely ecstatic about Dave and Travis joining our program," said Howland. "Both are outstanding players. They are highly-skilled good athletes who are hard workers and extremely motivated to be at their best. They are constantly working hard on their overall game."
The Wear twins, who reside in Huntington Beach, Calif., and were McDonald's All-Americans in high school, were close to committing to UCLA out of powerhouse Mater Dei High School but chose North Carolina instead.
"I've always thought the world of them, both as players and as young men," said Howland, adding he knows the twins well enough to tell them apart.
"They are a great addition to our program, not only as players but as people. They come from a great family and from one of the best high school programs in the country in Mater Dei, coached by Gary McKnight."
Father Dave Wear notified North Carolina coach Roy Williams of his sons' intentions to transfer May 5. Williams said at the time that the twins' request for their scholarship releases "came as a complete surprise."
Wear said UCLA was one of many high-profile programs that reached out to the family after his sons' decision.
The brothers each averaged 10 or more minutes per game as freshmen at Chapel Hill. Travis averaged 3.5 points and 2.2 rebounds per game, while Davis contributed 2.9 points and 1.7 rebounds a game.
"They're going to get better and better because of their work ethic and drive to be great," Howland said.
The twins have three years of eligibility remaining and should provide a frontcourt presence for the Bruins after redshirting the coming season due to transfer rules. Both are planning to enroll in the first summer school session at UCLA.
