UCLA basketball: Bruins lose out on power forward Terrence Jones
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UCLA missed out on another top recruit, as Terrence Jones announced Friday that he will attend Washington, in what became a big day for the Huskies.
Jones, a 6-foot-9 power forward from Portland Jefferson High School, was twice named the Oregon 5A player of the year. He averaged 32 points and 13 rebounds in leading Jefferson to its third consecutive state title last season.
Jones will be joined by Jefferson teammate Terrence Ross, who also picked Washington on Friday. UCLA had also recruited Ross.
“I wanted to go to a school that was ready for next season,” Jones said. “I also wanted to stay close to home. As I have said all along, I want to play with Terrence Ross.”
The Bruins were among the teams in the running for Jones, along with Kentucky, Kansas, Washington, Oregon and Oklahoma. The Bruins still have three scholarships available, but there are few high-end recruits remaining. Jones was ranked 13th overall and third among power forwards by Rivals.com.
UCLA Coach Ben Howland, whose team is coming off a 14-18 season, has said he will use all three scholarships. Earlier this week, the Bruins did land Matt Carlino, a 6-2 shooting guard from Bloomington (Ind.).
The Bruins have already signed Josh Smith, a center from Covington (Wash.) Kentwood, and Tyler Lamb, a shooting guard from Santa Ana Mater Dei. Lazeric Jones, a point guard from Logan Community College in Carterville (Ill.), also announced he would attend UCLA.
-- Chris Foster
