Alfred Aboya learned his lesson.
After a scoring slump during which he didn’t receive many offensive opportunities, UCLA’s starting center has adjusted his offensive game. Instead of simply calling for the ball in the low-post, the senior is now trying to work off screens. Defensive switches by opponents tend to free Aboya up for better looks inside.
It worked Saturday against Stanford. Aboya led the Bruins with 15 points. He attempted a season-high nine field goals and added two assists, and the Bruins won easily, 97-63.
“If I get my teammates open, it’s easier for them to feed me in the post,” Aboya said.
Aboya said the most important thing is that he learns something from every game.
Last weekend he scored only eight points against Washington State, and the Bruins barely slipped past the Cougars. And in the Bruins’ loss at Washington, Aboya scored only four points, his lowest total this season.
During that road trip, Aboya said that no team will win the Pac-10 or go far in the tournament if it doesn’t develop a low-post scorer.
This weekend, the Bruins showed progress in that facet of their offense. Aboya generally looked to be more involved in each half-court possession. Bruin guards made more of an effort to pass to him.
“He’s a beast,” said freshman guard Jrue Holiday, who had five assists against Stanford. “He attracts everyone on the floor. … We can always give him the ball and know he’s going to make a smart play.”
Aboya is more capable offensively this season because of his improved mid-range jumper.
The muscular, 6-foot-8-inch Aboya can now move 15 feet away from the basket and still hit a smooth jump shot. The shot also allows him to use a pump-fake or penetrate with his dribble.
He worked extensively on his jumper this summer, and this season he has hit 57 percent of his field goals and 68 percent of his free-throw attempts. Last year he shot just 50 percent from the field and 53 percent from the free-throw line.
“My shot is a lot better,” he said. “I’m more confident taking that shot, and I’ve seen the results.”
Still, Aboya is best known for his defensive tenacity. He stymied Stanford’s Lawrence Hill on Saturday, who averages about 15 points per game. Hill finished with only three points against Aboya.
Aboya had two important steals, and he committed only one foul.
Two nights before, he scored 10 points against California and shut down Jamal Boykin, who finished with only two points.
“I thought Alfred, in both games, was tremendous defensively,” coach Ben Howland said.
In the loss at Washington, Aboya took a hit from Jon Brockman, and a gash opened on his forehead. Aboya needed stitches right after the game and wore a headband this weekend to protect the cut.
The stitches came out Saturday, the cut has healed substantially, and Aboya really looks like he has found his best form.