UCLA Fans Ask Why Ariza Is in Such a Hurry

During the 2002-03 high school basketball season, LeBron James lit up Trevor Ariza and his Westchester teammates for 50 points. LeBron was ready for prime time -- Ariza was not.

After a mediocre freshman season that had no pro scouts drooling, he’s still not ready. Ariza evidently doesn’t see the benefits of developing his skills and learning how to be a team player from a top coach like Ben Howland, and, just as important, getting a top-flight education.

I’d say UCLA is better off without him.

Rick Lee

Playa del Rey

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Advice to Trevor Ariza: Learn Italian. The word for bench is banco.

Christopher Knopf

Santa Monica

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It was noted that UCLA basketball player Trevor Ariza was taking a class in “music appreciation of the Beatles.”

Well, I guess listening to Beatles songs is a lot more fun than grappling with Mozart’s sonata allegro form.

Still, if schools as academically renowned as UCLA allow students to fulfill their music appreciation requirement by studying top-40 tunes, what classes are being offered at places like Nevada Las Vegas and Florida State?

Graduate tutorials in the Spice Girls? The Philosophy of John Tesh?

David Macaray

Rowland Heights

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Hey, Trevor, ever hear of JaRon Rush?

Charlie Yacoobian

Valencia