Fey Fails ACT Test, Won’t Enroll at UCLA

Michael Fey, one of the top high school basketball players in Washington State, will not be enrolling at UCLA in the fall because he has not achieved a qualifying test score.

Fey, a 6-foot-11 center from Capital High in Olympia, recently fell short on his last of at least three attempts to pass the ACT exam. He plans to attend a junior college or enroll in prep school for a year.

UCLA Coach Steve Lavin and his top assistant coach, Jim Saia, declined to talk about the situation. Fey, who was scheduled to play Friday in a state all-star game, could not be reached for comment.

Regarded as the best center in Washington last season, Fey averaged 20.0 points, 10.0 rebounds and 1.5 blocks a game. He shot 56% from the field and was a finalist for the McDonald’s All-American game.

Fey’s national letter of intent, signed in November, will be voided by UCLA, which does not admit partial or nonqualifiers.

Because Bruin center Dan Gadzuric is staying for his senior season, the loss of Fey should not immediately affect the team. T.J. Cummings, who is more of a forward, will be the backup center next season.