Standout Guard Will Go to UCLA

UCLA scored a long-awaited and badly needed recruiting point Wednesday night when point guard Baron Davis, of Santa Monica Crossroads High, announced he would attend UCLA next year.

Considered by most observers to be one of the best 10 prospects in the nation heading into his senior season, the 6-foot-1 Davis, who scheduled--then recently canceled--trips to Duke and Kansas, said the decision was uncomplicated.

“A lot of times, I felt like I wanted to start a new life and go away for school,” Davis said. “But, when it all boiled down to it, it was, ‘Do I really want to be away from home for four years, and live somewhere like Kansas or Durham?’ I’m not saying they’re bad places, but I’m from L.A. and I’ve been here all my life.

“I also have a lot of respect for Coach K [Mike Krzyzewski of Duke] and Coach [Roy] Williams [of Kansas] and I didn’t want to lead them on or anything. When I came to the decision, I wanted to tell them just right off the bat so they can recruit other guys.”

Davis, who said he will sign a letter of intent the first day of the early signing period, which begins Nov. 13, was considered a key to this crucial recruiting period for UCLA, which hadn’t landed an impact recruit since Jelani McCoy in the early signing period of 1994 and could be losing a number of key players to the NBA after this season.

“They showed a lot of commitment and loyalty to me by not recruiting any point guards but me,” Davis said. “That played a major role in my decision.”

Davis’ backcourt mate at Crossroads is Cash Warren, the son of former UCLA great Michael Warren, and Davis says he has always felt like part of the Bruin family.

“I wish I could put on a Bruin uniform this year,” Davis said.

And would he, as recruiting experts speculate, act as a Westwood magnet for other top players?

“I talk to a lot of guys, and they mention [playing with Davis at UCLA],” Davis said. “It’s good to hear that from other players.”

UCLA also has a verbal commitment from 6-1 guard Earl Watson, of Washington High in Kansas City, Kan. Watson is a close friend of JaRon Rush, a forward from Pembroke Hills High in Kansas City, Mo.