SUMMER BASKETBALL : Garfield’s Gomez Wants to Be an Anteater

Garfield High graduate Alex Gomez would like to send a message to UC Irvine if he could only reach Anteater Coach Rod Baker.

“I plan to try out for the team and I’m going to make it,” Gomez said.

Gomez, a 6-foot-5 forward who averaged 29 points and nine rebounds, said he picked the Orange County college because he believes it has a good academic reputation and a promising basketball program.

However, Gomez has not spoken with Baker about his intentions. When Gomez tried to call the coach, he was told by an assistant to show up for tryouts in October. Baker is currently coaching in the World University Games in Buffalo, N.Y., which began Thursday.

The Anteaters were 6-21 overall and finished eighth in the Big West last season under Baker. One of their top recruits, Kevin Simmons of Brooklyn Tilden, a 6-foot-7 forward, still hasn’t passed his college entrance examinations.

Gomez had a 3.1 grade-point average at Garfield and scored a scored a 750 on the Scholastic Aptitude Test to satisfy NCAA eligibility requirements.

“I feel good about my chances,” Gomez said. “Everyone is confident that I will make the team. The coaches and players support me. All I can do is the best I can.”

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Summer Pro League--The Bren Event Center on the campus of UC Irvine is the host site for this year’s Southern California Summer Pro League.

Games begin today and run through Aug. 8. There will be four games per day starting at 12:30 p.m., except for today and Monday, when the first games will start at 2:45 p.m.

Among the NBA players scheduled to compete are Anthony Peeler, Duane Cooper and Doug Christie (Lakers), Dee Brown (Boston Celtics) and Harold Miner (Miami Heat).

In addition to scheduled games, there will be an all-star game Monday at 7:30 p.m. featuring top high school players from Los Angeles and Orange counties.

Incoming USC freshmen Avondre Jones of Artesia High and Stais Boseman of Morningside High are expected to compete.

Admission is $6 per day for adults and $3 for children.

Information: Summer Pro League Headquarters, (310) 556-2252.