If UCLA football’s last two games are any indication of how its season will play out, then – for UCLA fans at least – a new hope is on the horizon.
UCLA men’s basketball begins its season in less than a month, on Nov. 14 against Montana State.
Unlike UCLA football, the basketball team starts its season free from any grandiose outside expectations. After all, UCLA lost four of its five starters and five of its eight rotation players from last year’s Sweet 16 team.
“It’s kind of crazy how a lot of people (have left) the program just in my four years here,” said senior guard Norman Powell, the team’s lone returning starter. “But I’m really excited about this team. I think the newcomers are really eager and hungry to leave it all out on the court.”
Taking a look around the Student Activities Center gymnasium during Tuesday’s afternoon practice, fresh faces dominated the scene.
There was sophomore guard Isaac Hamilton, who was ineligible last season, catching a pass in a three-man weave drill and throwing down a smooth dunk.
There was freshman forward Kevon Looney dribbling in a two-ball drill, a potential prelude to what coach Steve Alford said could become Looney grabbing a rebound and pushing the ball up the floor himself.
And there was freshman center Thomas Welsh taking part in drills with his gangly 7-foot frame.
“Those are five really talented people we lost,” Alford said. “What’s helped is those guys who were remaining. … They got to see (what they did), and they’re passing it onto that talented freshman group, and you hope all that blends well.”
The team’s veteran presence has a fresh face as well. Of the mix of players, the leader is undoubtedly Powell.
Soon after then-sophomore guard Jordan Adams became the last of the three Bruins to declare for the NBA Draft in late April, Alford brought Powell into his office. The coach wanted to relay his expectations for Powell in the upcoming season.
Powell’s role would be bigger, with his minutes on the uptick and the position of team leader squarely on his shoulders.
“It’s your time,” Powell said his coach told him.
The senior wanted nothing more.
“It’s a position that I’ve always wanted to be in for a really long time, being the leader of this team,” Powell said. “And something like this, I couldn’t ask for a better way to go out.”
The talk between Alford and Powell was the first of many over the offseason, his new role often the theme.
Powell’s offseason work reflected the gravity of his new role.
He said he did three-a-days six days a week, working on a range of things. Particularly, he worked to smoothen the hitch in his jump shot.
In practice now, his teammates come up to him and ask him, “How should I do this?” and so on. Powell also noticed that Alford “drills him harder,” holding him to the high standard that a leader is often held to.
Soon, as the Bruins transition to playing games, Powell will at last be able to put pen to paper on his new role.
Long time no see
Once highly touted as a five-star guard by Rivals.com, Hamilton has been under the radar for more than a year after being ineligible last season.
Hamilton will likely split point guard duties with sophomore guard Bryce Alford this year. Last season, Hamilton was the point guard for the reserve team in practice.
“It’s been a lot happening, but I’m prepared,” Hamilton said. “I’m ready to lace them up and get on the court.”