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By AJ Cadman

Daily Bruin Senior Staff

UCLA continued to build for the future of the men’s basketball program with Tuesday’s announcement of 6-foot-7 sophomore forward Spencer Gloger’s transfer from Princeton to UCLA.

The Santa Margarita High prepster had initially signed a grant-in-aid contract at UCLA on May 24, 1999, but elected to play for former Princeton head coach Bill Carmody at that time. A grant-in-aid contract is not structurally binding and allows student athletes to back out.

“Coach Lavin gave me an opportunity a year ago and now he’s giving me another chance,” Gloger said in a statement. “I’m grateful to him for this second chance.”

The 205-pound Gloger started 28 games last season for the Tigers as a true freshman. He signed a grant-in-aid agreement to return to Westwood on Tuesday and is enrolled in classes this quarter. Because of NCAA transfer rules, he will have to redshirt the upcoming season and will have three years of eligibility remaining.

“We are happy to have Spencer back with us,” Lavin said in a statement. “At Princeton last season, he made an immediate impact with the Tigers’ program as a true freshman.”

Last season, Gloger tied the Ivy League single-game record with 10 three-pointers against Alabama-Birmingham, writing himself into the record books alongside former Penn standout Matt Maloney. He also set the Princeton freshman single-game record with 34 points against Alabama-Birmingham.

Gloger set Tiger freshman records with 65 three-pointers during the 1999-2000 season. He was Princeton’s second-leading scorer, averaging 12.0 points per game to go along with a 3.4 rebound average. He shot a sizzling 43.8 percent from the field, including a 40.9 clip from three-point range (65 of 159) and 75 percent from the foul line.

Gloger scored in double figures in 20 games, including the final eight games of 1999-2000, and earned All-Ivy League honorable mention.

“Spencer’s size, versatility, court sense and deadly shooting stroke from long distance will be great assets to our program,” Lavin said. “In Spencer, we are getting another quality local student-athlete to join our Bruin family.”

As the 1999 Orange County Player of the Year, Gloger was a standout performer at Santa Margarita under coach Jerry Debusk. He averaged 23.7 points and 6.0 rebounds a game during his senior season. He returns to Southern California to play at Pauley Pavilion in front of familiar faces.

“UCLA has everything I’m looking for in a school,” Gloger said,

“including a great team with national-caliber academics and the chance to play in front of my family and friends.”

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