UCLA MEN’S PREVIEW

Roster

Players listed in numerical order:

DIJON THOMPSON (Forward) -- No. 1, 6-7, 209, Sr.: After attending the Chicago NBA draft camp last summer, Thompson found that the pros considered him no better than a second-round draft pick. So the leading returning scorer (14.4) and rebounder (4.3) has something to prove. As the only senior starter, Thompson will be expected to provide leadership as well as scoring and improved defense.

JANOU RUBIN (Guard) -- No. 2, 6-3, 208, Sr.: Rubin will be counted on as a backup in the backcourt. After having back-to-back 13-point games last season against Oregon and Oregon State, and helping the Bruins to consecutive victories, Rubin was chosen Pac-10 player of the week. His three-point shooting (15 for 37) will be welcomed in relief of the rookie guards.

BRIAN MORRISON (Guard) -- No. 3, 6-2, 192, Sr.: After sitting out 15 games last season because of assorted hamstring and ankle injuries, Morrison’s anticipated role increased when Cedric Bozeman sustained a season-ending knee injury. Morrison, who shot a team-best 43% from three-point range, will be expected to spell freshman point guard Jordan Farmar. With Morrison’s tendency to play at warp speed, the coaches want him to slow down.

ARRON AFFLALO (Guard) -- No. 4, 6-5, 206, Fr.: Already being called the best defender on the team, Afflalo led Centennial High to its first Division III state title. He was a starter in the 2004 McDonald’s All-American game. He averaged 23 points and 5.4 rebounds a game last season for Centennial, and led the Bruins with 17 points in the second exhibition victory over Monterrey Tech. He will play mostly shooting guard but will pick up minutes at point guard because of Bozeman’s injury.

DeANDRE ROBINSON (Guard) -- No. 5, 6-5, 185, Fr.: A walk-on from Riverside whose grandfather attended UCLA, Robinson didn’t get off the bench in either exhibition.

JORDAN FARMAR (Guard) -- No. 11, 6-2, 170, Fr.: Like Afflalo, Farmar was a McDonald’s All-American, and he has confidently accepted his role as starting point guard and de facto leader. He threw two perfect alley-oop passes in his second exhibition (though neither shot was converted) and earned praise for his willingness to drive to the basket as well as for his smart passing. Farmar averaged 6.5 assists and 27.5 points for Taft High, leading his team to its first City Section title.

JOSH SHIPP (Guard/Forward) -- No. 12, 6-5, 200, Fr.: The brother of Joe Shipp, a former Cal standout and the Pac-10’s leading scorer in 2003, Josh earned more minutes when Bozeman was injured. A confident three-point shooter, he will need to improve defensively before conference play begins while learning to play small forward and shooting guard.

LORENZO MATA (Center) -- No. 14, 6-8, 231, Fr.: As long as Michael Fey is foul-prone, Mata will get substantial minutes. He is raw defensively but is an eager rebounder and a gifted shot blocker with a strong body. Mata will relieve Fey and Ryan Hollins.

RYAN HOLLINS (Center/Forward) -- No. 15, 7-0, 225, Jr.: A summer knee injury kept Hollins from working on his defensive footwork and his post moves, but if UCLA is to improve, Hollins will need to be better at scoring (6.5) and rebounding (4.3) than he was a year ago. Hollins was the team’s best shot blocker and became a consistent starter halfway through his sophomore season.

IKE WILLIAMS (Guard) -- No. 22, 6-2, 181, So.: Williams, who made the team as a walk-on two years ago and who played one minute a year ago, will start the year under suspension after being briefly detained during an altercation outside a Westwood apartment on Halloween night.

JOEY ELLIS (Guard) -- No. 24, 6-1, 180, Fr.: Ellis was Encino Crespi High’s captain a year ago when he averaged 16.2 points, 5 rebounds and 3.7 assists. A walk-on, he was added to the roster when Cedric Bozeman suffered a season-ending knee injury.

MATT McKINNEY (Forward) -- No. 25, 6-8, 222, So.: After being a redshirt as a freshman, McKinney sat out most of last season because of a fractured bone in his foot and was held out of the second exhibition because of a sprained ankle. There will be minutes for McKinney on the front line if he can stay healthy. A standout high school volleyball player at Santa Ynez High, McKinney is a good athlete who averaged 22.3 points and 10.3 rebounds his senior year in high school. He led the Bruins with eight rebounds in the first exhibition.

MICHAEL FEY (Center) -- No. 45, 7-0, 270, Jr.: Fey fouled out of both exhibitions and that has the staff worried. The Bruins can’t afford for their biggest, bulkiest inside presence to spend significant time on the bench. Coach Ben Howland expects Fey to be more aggressive in looking for his shot (he was 56% from the field a year ago) and quicker in moving his feet on defense.

JOSIAH JOHNSON (Forward) -- No. 54, 6-8, 255, Sr.: The son of former Bruin star Marques Johnson will be expected to offer enthusiasm, energy, some hard fouls and rebounds when he comes off the bench. Power forward is the weak spot on this team, and if Johnson improves his rebounding -- he had a 2.4 average last season -- and his defensive intensity, his final Bruin season will be considered a success.

QUINN HAWKING (Guard) -- No. 55, 6-3, 199, Jr.: The guy who students call for in a blowout, Hawking, a walk-on, played one minute in one game a year ago.