In a move that officially ended his UCLA career, former Bruin center Ryan Wright announced Tuesday he will transfer to the University of Oklahoma next season.
The sophomore will sit out next season under redshirt transfer rules, and have two remaining years of eligibility for the Sooners.
Often frustrated with his inability to live up to expectations at UCLA, Wright was welcomed with open arms into the Oklahoma program by coach Jeff Capel on Tuesday.
“We’re very excited about Ryan joining the Sooner family,” Capel said. “He’s a talented young man who just hasn’t had a lot of individual success in college basketball, but coming to a new environment and a new program, I think his potential for growth and improvement is very good.”
Wright averaged 1.3 points and 0.9 rebounds last season for the Bruins. He was expected to be a key contributor with senior centers Ryan Hollins and Michael Fey graduating before the season, but never developed as he was projected.
Wright’s departure opens up a scholarship for the Bruins for the Class of 2008 and will leave the Bruins with just three big men, including freshman forward Kevin Love who is set to arrive on the Bruin campus this summer.
Wright will have the chance to learn and eventually play significant minutes, unlike his time at UCLA, under the tutelage of Capel at Oklahoma.
Wright was a global studies student at UCLA and earned All-Pac-10 academic honors this past season.
AFFLALO SIGNS: Former Bruin Arron Afflalo, projected to go in the second round of this year’s NBA Draft, has signed with agent Sam Goldfeder. Afflalo has been working out with numerous NBA teams during the past month and is training in Los Angeles.