Lots of Local Guys Making Good Away From UCLA

The UCLA basketball program is in terrible shape under Coach Walt Hazzard. He can’t recruit on a national basis, and he can’t even recruit the top players in his own backyard.

Tom Lewis, player of the year in 1985, is averaging 23 points a game at Pepperdine. Steve Thompson of Crenshaw is starting at Syracuse. Scott Williams, player of the year in 1986, is starting at North Carolina. Brian Williams of St. Monica High is starting at Maryland. Sean Higgins of Fairfax went to Michigan. Chris Mills of Fairfax will join LeRon Ellis of Mater Dei at Kentucky.

Just think what UCLA would be if it had landed Lewis, Thompson, both Williamses, Ellis, Higgins and Mills. Need I say more?

Hazzard said: “I was the Pac-10 coach of the year, and somehow that doesn’t mean anything if you’re Walt Hazzard.”

Well, Hazzard only got that honor because the rest of the coaches in the Pac-10 want him to stay at UCLA. And, remember a guy named Stan Morrison? He was Pac-10 coach of the year and was fired the next.

WILLIE JOHNSON

Long Beach