Aboya Makes Long-Awaited College Debut

Finally, after journeying from the African republic of Cameroon, after attending Tilton Prep Academy in New Hampshire, after being penciled into the starting lineup only to undergo arthroscopic surgery on both knees, 6-foot-8, 233-pound freshman forward Alfred Aboya made his UCLA debut Sunday against Coppin State, in the Bruins’ seventh game.

“I’m just happy to be here, after the two surgeries and months of rehab,” Aboya said. “This was a very emotional game for me, my first college game.”

Aboya played 16 minutes, but Coach Ben Howland said that may be the exception rather than the standard as Aboya continues his recovery.

If Aboya’s knees show no ill effects from Sunday’s activity, Howland said he won’t keep Aboya under a tight leash in terms of minutes, and may even try him at center, a dark hole for the Bruins so far.

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With center Michael Fey (sprained right ankle) and center-forward Lorenzo Mata (concussion) sitting out, Howland, dissatisfied with the play of senior Ryan Hollins, started freshman Ryan Wright at center.

Howland had said last week that whoever was the top rebounder in practice would get the start.

But Wright turned out to be the wrong fix.

Finding himself in a tougher-than-expected game against Coppin State, Howland wound up using Wright for only seven minutes and got only one rebound out of the 6-8, 225-pounder. Hollins was used more than triple that time, getting 23 minutes. But his time was even less productive, with only two rebounds.

UP NEXT FOR UCLA

Saturday vs. Nevada, 2:30 p.m., Arrowhead Pond, 570, Channel 9 -- The Bruins, ranked 16th in the nation, will play No. 20 Nevada in the second game of the Wooden Classic. Washington plays New Mexico in the opener.