ROSTER

Dijon Thompson (Guard/Forward) -- No. 1, 6-7, 198, Junior: The top scorer among returners, Thompson shot 49.7% and averaged 14 points as a sophomore. Versatile and fluid, he needs to improve defensively to become one of the top players in the Pac-10 and develop into an NBA prospect.

Janou Rubin (Guard) -- No. 2, 6-3, 193, Junior: A former walk-on given a scholarship for this season after surprising Coach Ben Howland during workouts, Rubin showed a decent outside shot in limited opportunities last season and could be looked to for scoring off the bench.

Brian Morrison (Guard) -- No. 3, 6-2, 189, Junior: A transfer from North Carolina who sat out last season, Morrison begins the season as a starter. A good leaper and intense competitor, he will have to provide a scoring threat and play consistent defense to hold the job.

Trevor Ariza (Forward) -- No. 4, 6-7, 194, Freshman: The second-team Parade All-American from Westchester High is rugged enough for Howland’s tastes. Ariza will start at least until T.J. Cummings returns and should log plenty of minutes even after that. A centerpiece of the Bruin future.

Jon Crispin (Guard) -- No. 5, 6-0, 205, Senior: Crispin was a seldom-used reserve last season, his first at UCLA after transferring from Penn State. His forte is coming off the bench and knocking down outside shots, but he needs to improve his ball-handling and defense to earn more playing time.

Ryan Walcott (Guard) -- No. 10, 6-1, 190, Junior: Walcott is a deft ballhandler who averaged 21.5 minutes and started nine games at point guard last season. He might play fewer minutes under Howland, who has said Cedric Bozeman will start every game at the point.

Ryan Hollins (Center) -- No. 15, 7-0, 225, Sophomore: Hollins started the last 14 games last season and at times displayed great shot-blocking and rebounding ability. He played on the USA Junior World Team last summer and is developing some low-post moves.

Cedric Bozeman (Guard) -- No. 21, 6-6, 199, Junior: Bozeman enters his third season as the starting point guard with lingering questions about durability and shooting ability. A rangy defender and solid distributor, he might be one of the primary benefactors of Howland’s toughness-first philosophy.

Matt McKinney (Forward) -- No. 25, 6-8, 208, Freshman: A UCLA volleyball standout who redshirted in basketball last season, McKinney is out indefinitely because of a broken bone in his left foot.

T.J. Cummings (Forward/Center) -- No. 43, 6-9, 220, Senior: Cummings will sit out at least the first three games because he is academically ineligible this quarter. His career shooting percentage is 48.1%, but Cummings will need to improve his passing to gain favor with Howland.

Michael Fey (Center) -- No. 45, 7-0, 257, Sophomore: Howland likes his soft shooting touch and hard work in practice. Fey averaged only eight minutes a game last season and got pushed around in the paint, but he will have ample opportunity to turn the tables.

John Hoffart (Center) -- No. 52, 6-10, 258, Senior: The program’s elder statesman unless Cummings returns, Hoffart is a seldom-used post player whose primary role is to toughen Hollins and Fey during practice.

Josiah Johnson (Forward) -- No. 54, 6-8, 257, Junior: A reserve who has yet to be given an extended opportunity, Johnson is a good spot-up shooter and a wide body under the boards. The Bruins’ lack of depth at forward should result in his greatest playing opportunities to date.

-- Steve Henson