Four-Star PG Lonzo Ball Gives Early Commitment To UCLA Basketball

January 5, 2014; Los Angeles, CA, USA; UCLA Bruins head coach Steve Alford reacts while watching game action against the Southern California Trojans during the first half at Pauley Pavilion. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports

With such a great UCLA recruiting story, you would have thought that it was the football team that got a big time recruit, but NO! It is the UCLA basketball team that landed four-star point guard Lonzo Ball. Head coach Steve Alford and the Bruins received a commitment from the Chino Hills product…for 2016.

Ball is, currently, a 6’5”, 170 lbs. sophomore in high school, so this is a very early commitment to UCLA. He is currently the #5 point guard at his position (according to Scout.com) and the #20 overall player in 2016 (per Rivals.com). The good news is, apparently he likes what is going on at UCLA so far to give his commitment when he is not even an upper-classman in high school, so whatever Steve Alford is feeding him, Ball likes. The kid is also only 16, so he might have an inch or two left in him to grow, but also has time to get his body in top physical form to play at the high level college basketball requires. The bad news is that it is still two years away, which leaves plenty of time for other schools and recruiters to whisper sweet nothings in his ear. Still, with this commitment, Alford is clearly leading for Ball and needs to maintain that until his Letter Of Intent is signed.

This is a pretty exciting get as it shows that Alford is getting things done on the recruiting trail. He already has four big men committed to play for the Bruins next year, all 6’8” and taller, including 5-star Kevon Looney. Things are looking up for Bruin Basketball.

Mike W.R.

Twitter: @TheBigDisco