UCLA’s layup lines before Monday night’s game against Sacramento State came with a bit of a surprise.
No, it wasn’t freshman guard Zach LaVine settling for just a layup instead of a thunderous dunk. Rather, it was the attire of redshirt senior forward Travis Wear, who donned a black tracksuit instead of the Bruins’ blue and gold warmup gear.
After coach Steve Alford said he was hopeful Wear would return to action Monday, Wear was unable to play, missing his third consecutive game of the regular season. But that changes tonight.
For real, this time.
Wear will make his season debut tonight, as he returns from his appendectomy in UCLA’s matchup against Morehead State (4-1) at Pauley Pavilion.
With his surgeon’s mandated three-week resting period completed, Wear had his first full-contact practice Wednesday and is ready to see significant playing time, according to Alford. But as for whether Wear will immediately reclaim the starting spot he had last season, Alford was unsure.
“Travis hasn’t done anything for three weeks, so it’s not like we’re gonna throw him into whatever role that’s gonna be right away,” Alford said. “That’ll be a gradual thing, but he’s gonna get major minutes on Friday.”
Wear’s teammates were excited to get him and freshman forward Wanaah Bail, who also practiced for his first time Wednesday, back in the mix. Beyond just the boost in morale that comes with a returning player, sophomore guard/forward Kyle Anderson, who leads the Bruins with seven assists per game, was already imagining ways in which Wear will help him as a passer.
“Guys will be able to penetrate, draw his man and kick to him and knock it down,” Anderson said. “He’s gonna finish inside, he’s gonna help us so much.”
But Wear’s contributions won’t be limited to his play. During his time confined to the bench, Wear said he was able to expand his leadership role on the team and continue to help his teammates, despite not playing.
“Actually I think it’s been good,” Wear said. “… I wasn’t really vocal before. I think I tried to lead by example, but I was pretty happy with how much guys were responding and just how much I was able to vocalize my thoughts and stuff like that. I think that’s just gonna help me when I get back on the court, I think guys are gonna listen.”
Wear’s return eases the burden that has been placed on the Bruins due to their lack of depth. After only seven players saw more than three minutes of playing time on Monday, No. 22 UCLA (3-0) will welcome the load that Wear can help carry in terms of minutes.
But while the focus will be on his return and his impact, Wear said he’s just as happy if he’s not in the limelight.
“The team’s been playing great,” Wear said. “I don’t want to come back and try to do too much, I just want to come back and help this team win. That’s it.”