UCLA Finally Agrees to Release Givens

UCLA, reversing an earlier decision, has granted reserve center omm’A Givens permission to talk to Pepperdine about transferring there to play basketball.

Pepperdine Coach Lorenzo Romar said he received a release form Friday. He declined further comment.

Givens, a 6-foot-10 sophomore, had appealed a decision by UCLA athletic officials denying his request to be released from his scholarship. Bruin Athletic Director Peter Dalis said the request had been denied because he believed Romar, a former UCLA assistant, had reneged on an agreement not to recruit any Bruin players after he was named Pepperdine coach in February.

Romar denies recruiting any UCLA players.

Dalis was not in his office Friday and could not be reached. In a statement released by UCLA, Dalis said, “After discussions with the various parties involved, we have decided to allow omm’A to continue his education and career at the institution of his choice. We wish omm’A the best in whatever path he chooses.”

Last week, Dalis said UCLA would release Givens to any NCAA Division I school except Pepperdine.

If Givens had left UCLA without a release, he would have had to pay his own way at Pepperdine--$27,000--while sitting out a season. He still must sit out a season if he transfers.

A board of non-athletic department personnel at California is expected to hear an appeal next week by Golden Bear forward Tremaine Fowlkes, whose recent request to be released was denied by the school. Fowlkes, a 6-7 sophomore from Crenshaw High, reportedly is interested in transferring to Pepperdine. Cal junior center Michael Stewart has decided to drop his appeal and remain at the school.

Cal sophomore guard Jelani Gardner was granted a release from his scholarship and has transferred to Pepperdine.