Higher Education

It would be wise to keep an eye on Michelle Greco in 2001.

By the end of the year, the Crescenta Valley High product figures to be the pivotal player in what the UCLA women’s basketball program hopes will be a turnaround season, and Greco will be in the stretch run to make an impression on WNBA scouts.

Can the 5-foot-9 guard rally a team that entered the new year 1-10?

With no starter taller than 6-1 1/2, it might not happen during this, Greco’s junior season.

But with UCLA getting commitments from 6-7 and 6-4 post players, things figure to open up next season for Greco, who was leading the Pacific 10 Conference in scoring with a 20-point average on Christmas Day despite facing double- and triple-teams.

Can Greco gain the attention of the WNBA?

“I think she does have [a future in the WNBA]” Bruin coach Kathy Olivier said. “She still needs to learn a few things to be successful at the next level, but Michelle can do it.”

Greco, twice The Times’ Valley player of the year, ranks second in region history with 2,397 career points, trailing only Michelle Palmisano of Thousand Oaks, who scored 2,798.

Greco was a scoring machine, once pouring in 54 points in an overtime victory in the state playoffs. She was the first player to be selected state player of the year in her high school class for four consecutive seasons.

But in her first two seasons at UCLA, Greco played more of a supporting role and entered this season with only nine college starts.

Hit hard by graduation, injuries and transfers, the Bruins have turned to Greco to lead a young team that has struggled.

“She’s been our one bright spot this year,” Olivier said.

Greco believes the Bruins will shine in 2001-2002.

“I think we can turn it around,” Greco said. “At UCLA, expectations are always high and anything short of perfect isn’t accepted. You need to stay positive, focus on working to make sure that the future is better.”

As an All-American at Crescenta Valley, Greco attracted scores of top college programs.

But she always dreamed of playing at UCLA.

Now that the dream has been realized, the 20-year-old history major has set higher goals.

“It’s weird,” she said. “When you’re young and people ask if you’d like to play professionally, you say, ‘Of course.’ But you never think it will be right in front of you.

“Now I hold my own destiny. I have some important things to finish here at UCLA, but I think I can play in the WNBA. It’s exciting to find myself in this position.”

Greco has mapped out her perfect scenario:

She’ll lead the Bruins back to national prominence, culminating with an NCAA tournament appearance in March of 2002.

Three months later, she’ll make her WNBA debut before returning to UCLA, where she will earn her degree.

After a five- or six-year pro career, Greco will move on, either to the broadcast booth or a college coaching staff.

“I’m kind of rewriting the dream still,” she said. “I know what I want to do. Not that all that will actually happen, but you have to set your goals high.”