UCLA’s Zimmerman Says He Still Wants to Sit Out

A lack of depth on the UCLA basketball team next season could be even more pronounced than was first anticipated last month when Tracy Murray made himself available for the NBA draft.

Rodney Zimmerman, a starter in 16 games last season, told Coach Jim Harrick in April that he would transfer if Harrick could not ensure that he would be allowed to be redshirted next season.

A 6-foot-9 sophomore, Zimmerman has softened his stance since Murray’s announcement--”I’m planning on staying,” Zimmerman said last week--but he still would like to sit out.

And he seemed to leave the door open for a possible move.

“At this point, I can’t really say that, if he didn’t want me to redshirt, I’d transfer,” Zimmerman said.

“We’re going to discuss it later on in the summer. Whatever his decision, I’ll have to respect it because he’s the coach. But then again, I’ll have to do what’s best for Rodney Zimmerman.”

Harrick said that he probably wouldn’t make a decision until after practice starts on Nov. 1.

“You’ve got to give the team a chance to develop,” Harrick said. “The most important thing is the team. You’ve got to have enough guys to play.”

Zimmerman was the Bruins’ starting center through the first half of last season before Harrick turned to a quicker lineup, replacing Zimmerman with 6-5 guard Mitchell Butler.

Zimmerman said that he agreed with the move, but that his confidence waned. Still, he was projected as the Bruins’ top reserve next season behind a starting lineup that is expected to include transfer center Richard Petruska, forward Ed O’Bannon and guards Tyus Edney, Shon Tarver and Butler.

Zimmerman said that he would like to use the year off to lose weight and to improve his skills at forward, his preferred position.