Romar Denies He Recruited Givens

Pepperdine basketball Coach Lorenzo Romar denied Tuesday he has played a role in UCLA center omm’A Givens’ attempt to transfer to Pepperdine, as was charged Monday by Bruin Athletic Director Peter Dalis.

Givens, a 6-foot-10 sophomore, is appealing a decision by UCLA, which denied his request to be released from his scholarship.

Dalis said he believes Romar, a former UCLA assistant, reneged on an agreement not to recruit Bruin players after he was hired as Pepperdine coach in February.

“I’m not going to get into any type of verbal exchange in this matter,” Romar said. “I respect UCLA, Pete Dalis and [UCLA Coach] Jim Harrick too much to get into anything like that.

“But I know in clear conscience that I have not done anything unethical. I have not recruited any of UCLA’s players to come to play at Pepperdine.”

Asked why Givens is attempting to transfer to Pepperdine, Romar replied, “You’ll have to talk to omm’A about that.”

Givens could not be reached for comment.

Dalis said UCLA would release Givens to any other NCAA Division I school, but Givens reportedly is interested in playing only at Pepperdine because of his close relationship with Romar.

An athlete who is denied a release can appeal the decision before a panel of non-athletic department personnel.

If Givens leaves UCLA without a release, he must pay his own way at Pepperdine--approximately $27,000. Either way, he must sit out a season.

Givens came to UCLA as the most touted of a 1994 freshman class that included Toby Bailey, Kris Johnson and J.R. Henderson. But he has not started a regular-season game for the Bruins and was a backup to freshman Jelani McCoy last season.

Romar reportedly has been contacted by several Pacific 10 Conference players, including California’s Tremaine Fowlkes and Michael Stewart, whose requests to be released were denied.

Fowlkes, a 6-7 sophomore forward, and Stewart, a 6-10 junior center, have appealed.

Cal sophomore guard Jelani Gardner was granted a release and transferred to Pepperdine.