Evan Burns, the UCLA men’s basketball team’s prized
recruit and a McDonald’s All-American, will not be enrolling
at the university after failing to qualify academically, according
to a UCLA statement released Sept. 10.
Burns, a 6-foot-8-inch, 220-pound forward, did not meet NCAA
initial eligibility requirements after signing a national letter of
intent in April to play at UCLA. He averaged 22.7 points and 10.5
rebounds per game for Fairfax High in Los Angeles.
“Evan Burns is a talented young man who has a very bright
future in basketball,” UCLA head coach Steve Lavin said in a
statement. “Our staff wishes him well in his future academic
and athletic career.”
Burns has since enrolled at San Diego State, where his
eligibility to play is still pending.
“He’s one of the most talented freshmen we’ve
ever had,” UCLA assistant coach Jim Saia said in July.
“He’s a pretty special player.
The coaching staff had planned to give Burns, who was playing
pickup games at UCLA this summer, significant time on the court.
“He’ll have the opportunity to start…,” Saia
said. “If he doesn’t start, he’ll definitely get
substantial minutes.”
Last year, Michael Fey also failed to gain academic eligibility
after signing a letter of intent. The 6-foot-11-inch center, who
eventually re-signed a letter of intent and achieved qualifying
test scores, is expected to play for UCLA this season. Fey,
6-foot-8-inch forward Matt McKinney and 6-foot-11 inch
center/forward Ryan Hollins will represent this year’s
recruiting class. Marcedes Lewis, a 6-foot-6-inch freshman forward
on a UCLA football scholarship, is also expected to join the
team.