UCLA basketball: Thoughts from a recruit

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Harrison Barnes, the top prospect in the nation this season, is not expected to choose UCLA when he announces his decision Friday -- Duke or perhaps North Carolina is the more likely candidate -- but he had some nice things to say about a recent official visit with the Bruins.

The 6-foot-7 forward from Ames, Iowa, talked about Coach Ben Howland‘s picking him up at the airport, getting him checked in at the Century Plaza, then taking him to see Santa Monica.

There were visits with players and the university chancellor, and time spent watching the team practice.

‘It showed me how dedicated he was to making sure that his players do well,’ Barnes wrote of Howland. ‘I got to see how his players responded, and that was good. The emphasis was on defense. The key was that defense wins games.’

Howland also hosted a barbecue for Barnes at his house.

‘I have to say that he knows his way around the grill,’ the prospect wrote. ‘He made a very good steak!’

But the highlight of the trip, in Barnes’ eyes, was breakfast with John Wooden.

‘That was an unreal experience!’ Barnes wrote. ‘Just sitting in front of Coach Wooden, who in my opinion is the greatest coach in sports history, was awesome. I was just listening to him quote literature and quote other great leaders … it was exciting.

‘One of his favorite quotes was from Abraham Lincoln: ‘It’s better to remain silent and be thought a fool then to speak out and remove all doubt.’ That really hit home. Those were like words of wisdom.’

You can read more at the HighSchoolSport.com site.

-- David Wharton