Sep. 29, 2000 SportsLine.com Reports

Pac-10 report | NCAA Tournament Report

A glance at 2001

That huge sigh of relief you just heard came from the office of UCLA coach Steve Lavin. After watching three of his starters declare early for the NBA Draft, Lavin's program received a monumental boost when freshman Jason Kapono decided to return to UCLA and withdraw his name from consideration for the NBA Draft.

The 6-foot-7 Kapono, who had declared for the draft along with forwards Jerome Moiso and JaRon Rush, led the Bruins in scoring last season at 16.0 points per game.

"I had a lot of things to consider," Kapono said. "I believe I would have been a first-round selection in this draft. The deciding factor for me was being able to come back to UCLA, be with my teammates, play for the Bruins and continue my college experience and education."

Kapono had indicated that his original decision was not set in stone, claiming he would "test the waters" before hiring an agent.

"Of course we are very pleased to have Jason returning to our team," Lavin said. "Jason was very deliberate in his approach to exploring his future in basketball at the next level. Jason decided that even though he would be a first-round draft choice this year, he wanted to come back to our UCLA family for another year of education and basketball."

Who'll be back

Earl Watson and Dan Gadzuric are the other two starters to return alongside Kapono. Ray Young and Matt Barnes, who were unhappy with their reserve roles last season, will now have a chance to show what they can do.

With Moiso and Rush leaving, the Bruins go from one of the nation's deepest teams to a squad that will lean heavily on a pair of freshman forwards. T.J. Cummings and Josiah Johnson will be asked to carry a heavy load for the depleted Bruins.

Ryan Bailey seems to be a willing role player at the point, which is what the Bruins desperately need. Rico Hines and Billy Knight also seem to accept their spots as supporting players.

Who's gone

Sean Farnham, the team's emotional, get-in-your-ear leader, is the only senior. He started seven times, but played only briefly. The departures of Moiso, Rush leave Lavin lookin for answers down low.

Key newcomers

UCLA signed one player in the fall, 6-9 T. J. Cummings of Los Angeles, a top 50 prep star who will be able to back up Gadzuric. Cummings is the son of long-time NBA star Terry Cummings.

In the spring, UCLA signed 6-8 Josiah Johnson, the son of former NBA star and UCLA great Marques Johnson. Johnson averaged 24.2 points and 12.5 rebounds for Montclair Prep in Van Nuys, Calif.

The Bruins also got a boost for 2001-02 when Princeton guard Spencer Gloger decided last week to transfer to UCLA. The 6-foot-7 freshman originally signed with Bruins in 1999, but changed his mind at the last second. He was the Tigers' second-leading scorer last season, averaging 12 points and 3.4 rebounds a game. He will have to sit out the upcoming season.