Now Bruins Can Size Up Kambala

The Bruins, who haven’t signed a major post player in three years, got a close look Saturday at one big man who got away--Nevada Las Vegas’ 6-foot-9 freshman Kaspars Kambala, who spurned UCLA for the guaranteed starting slot with the Runnin’ Rebels.

In the absence of potential All-American Keon Clark, suspended for the first 11 games, Kambala has gotten significant minutes at center and has delivered with 18.3 points and 11.7 rebounds a game.

“One reason we really wanted him was I thought he could be like a Steve Scheffler [the former Purdue standout], a dominant, back-to-the-basket post player,” UCLA Coach Steve Lavin said. “He’s a strong, wide body and more athletic than people think, with good hands.

“We thought he was someone who could come in and play right away. And he’s proven that here.”