More alternate uniforms will be unveiled this season according to Coach Jim Mora.
Everybody has wondered when the traditional “UCLA stripe” will return. Coach Jim Mora shows us that it has to do with the construction of the Adidas techfit jersey that requires a seam at the shoulder. He says the company is working on finding a solution in the future.
5-Star RB considers UCLA transfer
Former 5-star recruit Rushel Shell is considering transferring to UCLA, and will visit Westwood this week according to an L.A. Times report. Shell - a 5-11, 215 lb. back - was ranked fourth at his position in the Class of 2012, and announced he was leaving Pittsburgh early in April.
Tyus Edney to remain on staff
Tyus Edney will be retained by Steve Alford as the Director of Basketball Operations, a role he has held the past two seasons under Ben Howland.
The three official assistant spots on Steve Alford’s staff had already been filled with the hirings of Ed Schilling, Duane Broussard, and David Grace.
Steve Alford, Dan Guerrero release statement regarding 2002 incident at Iowa
April 11, 2013
UCLA men’s basketball head coach Steve Alford and Athletic Director Dan Guerrero today addressed concerns about comments that Alford made in 2002, while he served as coach of the University of Iowa men’s basketball team.
Steve Alford:
Over the past week, questions have arisen about my handling of an incident involving a charge of sexual assault made against a student-athlete in 2002, while I was coach of the University of Iowa men’s basketball team. At that time, I instinctively and mistakenly came to his defense before knowing all the facts. I wanted to believe he was innocent, and in response to a media question, I publicly proclaimed his innocence before the legal system had run its course. This was inappropriate, insensitive and hurtful, especially to the young female victim involved, and I apologize for that. I have learned and grown from that experience and now understand that such proclamations can contribute to an atmosphere in which similar crimes go unreported and victims are not taken seriously. It’s important for me personally and professionally to make sure Chancellor Block, Athletic Director Dan Guerrero, all of my student-athletes and the entire UCLA community, including our fans, understand that today I would handle the situation much differently, with the appropriate regard and respect for the investigative process and those impacted by it. I look forward to being a Bruin and leading a program that everyone will take pride in, both on and off the court.
Dan Guerrero:
I appreciate and respect Steve Alford’s statement on this issue. Everyone has regrets in their past, but acknowledging them and learning from them shows true character. I was aware of this situation when we hired Steve and concluded that although he made an error in judgment 11 years ago, he had learned and grown from that experience. Our evaluation was based on his entire career, both on and off the court, and that is what led us to make our decision that he was the right coach for UCLA. Steve came to us with a tremendous reputation and record in New Mexico, and I am excited to see how he can build on and grow our men’s basketball program at UCLA. I expect all of our coaches to serve as an example to our student-athletes and the entire Bruin family, displaying true character and strong values. Working with Steve over the last two weeks I am confident that he will demonstrate the leadership we expect of all our coaches.
Best wishes to Kevin Ware
It’s been less than 24 Hours and Kevin Ware is walking again. This kid is truly special. I love sports.
—Chris Hatfield
(via sports)
Inside the NBA's New Style Wars
The moment Russell Westbrook steps off the bus in Denver for the Oklahoma City Thunder’s game against the Nuggets, you get the feeling that something insane is going to happen tonight. He’s wearing red leather motorcycle pants, a Superdry bomber jacket, black Doc Martens with the laces undone, and his trademark superfluous eyeglasses. A meager runway gallery awaits him—just a few security guards, OKC’s team photographer, and me—but he still disembarks with purpose. Even in a league that’s warped from “pinstriped spinnaker on draft night” to “pure line cut slim enough to make Beckham look like a slob,” Russ is a radical: His style is a punk provocation, a sartorial troll, and most crucially a full-on style, not just a series of outré outfits that no other player has the guts to wear. He’s swinging a leather Dopp kit with his right arm in a repetitive motion that could only be described as swag—young, black, and Oi!—and generally looking like he’s striding out of Malcolm McLaren’s London SEX shop in 1976. Every element of hiscostume is an extension of the identity he projects: part worldly NBA superstar, part suedehead hooligan.
UCLA Tab Alford as Next Basketball Coach
(via UCLA)
LOS ANGELES – UCLA Director of Athletics Dan Guerrero announced today the appointment of Steve Alford as the 13th Head Men’s Basketball Coach in program history.
With 22 years of collegiate head coaching experience, Alford led the University of New Mexico to a 29-6 record this season, winning back-to-back Mountain West Conference regular-season and tournament titles, and a berth in the NCAA Tournament for the third time as the Lobos’ head coach.
“Steve is the perfect fit for UCLA,” said Guerrero. “He is part of the storied history of the game of college basketball and understands the tradition and uniqueness of UCLA. Yet he also connects with a new generation of players and brings an up-tempo and team-oriented brand of basketball to Westwood. We welcome Steve, his wife Tanya, and children Kory, Bryce and Kayla to the Bruin family and look forward to many years of success.”
Alford will be formally introduced to the Los Angeles media at a press conference on Tuesday.
“I have been so fortunate and blessed in my life, and an opportunity to lead the one of the greatest programs in college basketball history is once-in-a-lifetime,” said Alford. “It is an honor to be the Head Coach at UCLA, yet it is also a responsibility to ensure that our former, current and future players and fans are proud to be Bruins. I am grateful to Chancellor Gene Block and Dan Guerrero for this amazing opportunity and I can’t wait to get started.”
Alford guided New Mexico to postseason appearances in all six seasons (2008-13) in Albuquerque, including three trips to the NCAA Tournament (2010, 2012, 2013). His teams at New Mexico won at least 22 games in each of his six seasons, highlighted by a school-record 30-5 mark in 2009-10. Alford was named Mountain West Coach of the Year in three of the past five seasons and helped produce three Mountain West Player of the Year selections.
Prior to his six seasons at New Mexico, Alford’s head coaching career included successful tenures at Iowa (2000-07), Missouri State (1996-99) and Manchester College (1992-95). Alford helped Iowa engineer a 25-9 record in 2006, leading the Hawkeyes to their second Big Ten Tournament title in six seasons. In his final season at Missouri State (then known as Southwest Missouri State), Alford led the Bears to a Sweet Sixteen appearance in the 1999 NCAA Tournament as the East Region’s No. 13 seed.
A four-year standout at Indiana University (1984-87), Alford served as team captain on the Hoosiers’ 1987 NCAA Championship team under head coach Bob Knight during his senior season. After his freshman campaign, he helped Team USA win the gold medal at the 1984 Olympic Games in Los Angeles. Alford was selected No. 26 overall in the 1987 NBA Draft and enjoyed a four-year NBA career prior to his start as a collegiate head coach in 1992.
