For the first time in program history, the media was allowed to attend the UCLA basketball end-of-year team banquet Tuesday.
Besides enjoying droves of catered food, getting a glimpse of the culture of the team was an interesting experience for all fans, boosters and media members in attendance at the Hyatt Regency Century Plaza hotel in Century City.
The program included coach Ben Howland thanking everyone from the team physician to the video coordinator for a great season. He then proceeded to address each player on the team and share a few remarks on their strengths and what they brought to the team.
Rising junior Reeves Nelson, Tyler Honeycutt and Malcolm Lee shared the Coach John Wooden Award for the team’s most valuable player.
Lee announced his intentions to hire an agent and declare for the NBA draft earlier Tuesday, joining Honeycutt who made his decision March 28.
A highlight video showcasing the the best moments of the year closed out the evening and concluded with returning players talking about the brotherhood amongst their teammates. Lee was the first player to make such a comment which drew an ironic chuckle from some members of the crowd.
Honeycutt, Lee and two student managers were presented with jerseys commemorating their UCLA careers.
Lee declined interview requests from the media at the conclusion of the banquet.