May 06
J’Mison Morgan told the Dallas Morning News that he wants to get out of his committment with LSU and that he wants to attend UCLA instead:
“It was a real hard decision for me,” said Morgan, an all-state center. “My comfort level was at LSU, but I felt like UCLA was a better fit for me as far as exposure.”
So it looks like Morgan will end up at UCLA, provided that LSU releases him. Considering that UCLA is out of the conference, I highly doubt LSU would not grant Morgan’s wish.
Morgan would be Howland’s biggest national recruiting swipe outside the west coast.
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May 6th, 2008 at 4:17 pm
“Better fit”….that just crack me up. Why not just be honest about it?
“Well, Kevin Love left so UCLA now needs a center, and LSU doesn’t really have a chance to compete for a national title next year. So yeah, I’d like to attend UCLA now.”
Cool that he’s coming, but I always love the euphemisms.
May 8th, 2008 at 7:40 am
Any clue on Morgan’s academic prowess or should we care? When I went to high school in Dallas eons ago, South Oak Cliff (SOC) had a horrible academic reputation.
May 8th, 2008 at 9:41 am
If he does wind up coming to Westwood, I hope it doesn’t effect the #1 recruit for next year, Renardo Sidney’s decision to come to Westwood. If Morgan is there, I see Renardo going to play for Tim Floyd. As much as I want this kid in a Bruin uniform, I want Renardo Sidney even worse. If Tim Floyd gets him, look the hell out.
May 8th, 2008 at 3:19 pm
I don’t think it would effect Sidney because Sidney is a PF and as long as he’s motivated, would start at PF at UCLA no matter who else UCLA recruits at that position. He weights about 230. Compare that to Kevin Love who is around 260 and J’Mison Morgan who is around 270 and you see that they are totally different body types. UCLA has been reluctant to offer Sidney because of “fit” issues. There have been some concerns about his effort and his attitude and Ben Howland does not stand for a player that’s not a LoMa.
A couple of years ago UCLA was recruiting a 5 star PF named Luke Babbitt from Nevada who was going to commit to UCLA. I heard through the grapevine that Babbitt was doing some REALLY shady things with boosters (I heard this from inside Morgan Center) and when he decided he didn’t want to go to Ohio State, Howland wouldn’t take him back…so he ended up at Nevada.
And if you are wondering what a LoMa is…I just made it up…it’s my personal dedication to the ultimate team-first UCLA player, Lorenzo Mata. Mata didn’t make a peep when his minutes were literally cut by a third and everytime he stepped on the floor he exerted himself to the fullest. From now on on this website, the prototypical Ben Howland player who is selfless, has a team-first mentality and plays with maximum effort at all times on both sides of the floor shall now be reffered to as a “LoMa.”
Thanks for the inspiration, Mark!
I don’t think Floyd will get him. Look at what happened to O.J. Mayo’s stock this year and compare that with Love’s stock and exposure. Last year, Mayo was slated to be the #1 pick in the draft. Now, he might get picked after Love. If Floyd does get him, I agree…look the hell out.
May 9th, 2008 at 8:56 am
I like that — “LoMa” — how about Sean Farnham going back a few years. I loved the intensity he brought to the floor even if the didn’t have the most talent on the team.
May 11th, 2008 at 6:13 am
Okay, so I’m a UCLA fan and a bit biased, but the NCAA rules are nothing but BS! They have the system rigged against kids and make MILLON$ off them. Why should a coach be able to break his contract and go right to another school and coach, but require a kid changing his mind to give up a year of eligibility AND sit out a year?!?!
I know that’s not the exact case here because Brady was fired. Still, this kid committed to LSU under the premise that Brady was going to be his coach. Since that has changed, the kid should NOT be locked into his commitment. ANYTIME a school changed coaches, any kid on the team should be allowed to change their decision to be at that school WITHOUT penalty. Period!
Love the LoMa tag! LoMa himself wasn’t pretty to watch, but man did I love his heart. Always a hustler. Always a gamer. Always a winner!
May 12th, 2008 at 11:31 am
@todfrog13: You know, I don’t think it’s a matter of you being a bit biased: You are absolutely right. It’s so sad to see how the NCAA rules completely take advantage of kids.
May 12th, 2008 at 11:42 am
[...] the LoMa tag! [Click here to find out what a LoMa is]LoMa himself wasn’t pretty to watch, but man did I love his heart. [...]