LAKERS : Haley’s Dream Comes True When Nets Don’t Match Offer

Jack Haley, a surfer from Seal Beach who didn’t play high school basketball, became a Laker Friday.

The New Jersey Nets renounced their rights to him and he joined the Lakers, who had signed him to an offer sheet.

“I’m ecstatic,” Haley said. “This is a dream come true for Jack Haley. This is something I’ve wanted since I started playing basketball.”

Haley, the self-described “kid nobody wanted” in basketball, earned a surfing letter at Huntington Beach High. He started playing basketball at Golden West Community College.

On a fluke, he wound up at UCLA.

“My coach put me in the L.A. summer league for college players,” Haley said.

“UCLA was in a pressure situation. Stuart Gray had just gone hardship. Reggie Miller played on my team and I think he told the coaches about me. They came down. I think they scouted me one day. I remember the speech they gave me: ‘You probably won’t play much, but you’ll get a chance to get a good education.’ ”

He became a starter, played in Europe, then with the Chicago Bulls and Nets.

Known for enthusiasm and aggressiveness, he reportedly punched teammate Derrick Coleman in the locker room last season but won’t discuss it.

Said Haley: “The qualities Jack Haley brings to the Lakers: I’m an intense competitor. I’m very enthusiastic. I play at all times to win. I think one element I bring to the Lakers they haven’t had before, I bring a very physical element. I’m not a good-looking scorer. These people have enough of those.”

Sam Perkins, the starting power forward, is also ticketed to back up Vlade Divac. Haley will play behind them.

“He’s been in the league awhile,” General Manager Jerry West said. “He’s improved steadily. Everybody who’s had him really liked him. He’s not intimidated by anyone.”