Good to hear. Also, this guy Justin Raffington is visiting this weekend. What's the story with him?
Umimpressive numbers
Didn't Lav's dad go to San Fran?
Me think this is Mike Perez, Dwight Meikle and Thad Hall and Lav drumming up interest doing a solid.
Another interesting Rumor I'm trying to confirm - 6'10 245 lb UCLA Center Anthony Stover is on pace to graduate this year after 3 years. That would make him eligible to transfer and be immediately eligible. What makes it really interesting is that Stover redshirted as a freshman - so it appears he'd be immediatley available at a new school with 2 full years eligibility remaining. Playing behind 3 McDonalds All Americans last year (Josh Smith and the Wear Twins - all of whom are back, and are being joined by a 4th McD AA center in Tony Parker) he got only 10 minutes a game, but was still able to finish 4th in the Pac 12 in blocked shots. He's fast AND quick for a post, good hops, and a 7'5 wingspan. In high school led his team to the California State title, Averaged 9.5 blocks a game as a senior, after 7.6 per as a Junior. He blocked 820 shots in his 98 game HS coareer. Very weak offensively, but likely the best defensive center in the Pac 10...and would likely be much better in a fast paced offense (and defense) than in UCLA's grind it out on 0 & D half court game. He's the 2nd best shot blocker at UCLA in the past 35 years. At UCLA, Stover has averaged 1 block every 6.05 minutes on the court. To put that in perspective, Anthony Davis at KY this year led the nation in blocked shots with 184 blocks in 1,281 minutes played. At Stovers rate, had he been on the court that amount of minutes, he'd have blocked 212.
I know Rico's played summer pickup games at UCLA with Stover, so I'm assuming if the rumor is true, Steve is aware. I knda hope it is. Stover is never going to get his shot at UCLA. It reminds me too much of that "Best Shot Blocker at UCLA in the last 35 years" - another "weak on offense" guy. Guy was the best college shot blocker I'd ever seen since Russell and Chamberlain were students. But he came to UCLA as a JC transfer behind an incoming McD AA center named Stuart Gray (10 year NBA pro), and another frosh center in Brad Wright (played a couple of season in the NBA - one with the Knicks). So this kid never got on the court. Even less minutes than Stover is getting - only 191 total minutes in 2 seasons. But he blocked a shot every 5 minutes he was on the court. Such a waste - for UCLA. 'Cause that skill didn't go totally unoticed, and he got a shot in the NBA. Stuck around 11 years till his Knees gave out. And when he retired, playing thru the era of Kareem, Ewing, Olajuwon, Gilmore and the like, it was as a 2 time NBA Defensive Player of the year, 5 time All Defensive 1st or 2nd team, and as the NBA's CAREER shot blocking leader. Guy named Mark Eaton.
Not saying Stover is that good - but dang, he deserves a fair shot to show what he can do. Lavin's Defense would be the perfect scheme to showcase. Ben Howland simply doesn't play zone - so all of Stover's blocks are coming in man D. Can't even imagine the numbers he could put up anchoring a zone defense.....
As I said at the top, just a rumor right now. But even tho he loves UCLA, really tough to see him stay with FOUR McDonalds All Americans in front of him for his remaining two seasons of eligibility. And if he's going somewhere, I want it to be somewhere I can root for him!
