ANGIE LEVINE/Daily Bruin
Ryan Hollins scored 11 points in 18 minutes in the Nike Say No Classic.
By Jeff Agase
DAILY BRUIN STAFF
jagase@media.ucla.edu
Some paths to Westwood take no longer than 30 minutes to traverse – a simple jaunt down the 405 freeway or across the 10 freeway is all it can take to land at UCLA.
For incoming freshman Ryan Hollins, the path has already taken him through St. Louis and Seattle. After minimal recruiting from UCLA, Hollins signed a letter of intent to attend St. Louis and play for former UCLA assistant coach Lorenzo Romar.
But when Romar left to fill the vacant head coaching job at Washington, Hollins had a decision to make.
“Everyone figured I’d just go to Washington,” said Hollins, who averaged 15 points and 10 rebounds per game at Pasadena’s John Muir High last year. “A lot of people gave up on me.”
UCLA didn’t. Two weeks after Romar went to Washington, a recruit the Bruin coaching staff had been eyeing decided on Oklahoma State. With a spot open, UCLA’s and Hollins’ paths crossed.
“UCLA had never recruited him,” Hollins’ father Denier said. “It was almost like an act of God that they wanted him.”
Hollins took an official visit to Washington and an unofficial visit to UCLA. Though he was promised heavy personal attention from Romar at Washington, he couldn’t pass up an opportunity to don a Bruin jersey.
Whether Hollins will be wearing the jersey during games is left to the decision of the UCLA coaching staff. He has been given an unconditional release from his letter at St. Louis and is eligible this season.
However, a report in the Los Angeles Times last week said Hollins may be asked to take a redshirt year.
“They haven’t said anything to me about a redshirt,” Hollins said. “I’m ready to play. I’m also definitely open to taking a redshirt, but they haven’t asked me yet.”
The UCLA coaching staff was out of town last week and could not be reached for comment. The Times story also said Hollins will likely not redshirt and instead be asked to play if sophomore Andre Patterson is not academically eligible for the 2002-2003 season. Patterson has been taking classes this summer to raise his GPA.
Hollins is not yet as far along as fellow incoming freshman Evan Burns, who may compete for a starting job. Hollins is 6-foot-11 but only 210 pounds and is still a bit timid on the court.
Playing for Hanks Little Hoopers in the playoffs of the Nike Say No Classic last weekend, Hollins scored 11 points in 18 minutes. He showed impressive open-court transition speed and soft hands around the rim.
Conversely, Hollins also airballed a free throw and appeared hesitant on defense. Nothing but air from the charity stripe by no means prevents a Bruin from getting playing time (see Dan Gadzuric), but Hollins realizes he has a way to go before he can put in strong minutes backing up the starting center.
“I feel like I was holding back a little bit this summer,” Hollins said. “I know what I can do. Once I get a lot stronger, I can probably play a little center, but for right now, I’ll play the four.”
RYAN HOLLINS PROFILE
Height: 6'11"
Position: Center/power forward
Hometown: Pasadena
Prep Highlights: Rated the No. 3 center on the West Coast by PrepWestHoops.com . . . Named first-team Div. III All-CIF and All-Pacific League after averaging 15.0 points, 10.0 rebounds and 2.0 blocked shots his senior year . . . Placed third in the triple jump (48 feet, 2 3/4 inches) at the state track and field meet in Cerritos June 9 . . . Other personal bests in the field include 21-2 in the long jump and 6-6 in the high jump.
SOURCE: www.uclabruins.com