UCLA Loses Morrison

Guard Brian Morrison, a basketball transfer from North Carolina, withdrew from UCLA Wednesday and is expected to enroll at Washington, sources said.

Morrison must sit out the 2002-03 season under NCAA transfer rules because he left North Carolina. He was expected to be a key addition to the Bruins in 2003-04 and 2004-05.

Morrison, who grew up in Redmond, Wash., indicated to UCLA players that he plans to enroll at Washington, which begins fall classes Monday.

A spokesman with the Huskies would not comment.

The loss of Morrison, who led North Carolina with 42 three-point baskets last season, is another in a series of blows to the Bruins.

Freshman forward Evan Burns, UCLA’s most highly touted player in several years, could not meet academic standards and enrolled at San Diego State two weeks ago.

Sophomore forward Andre Patterson is ineligible for the fall quarter and will miss at least four games. He is awaiting summer school grades and attending Santa Monica College this fall in an effort to gain eligibility for the winter.

Suddenly flush with scholarships to give, UCLA is recruiting three local high school seniors--forward Trevor Ariza of Westchester, guard Omar Wilkes of Loyola and forward Sean Phaler of Villa Park.