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Oregon preps star Love opts for UCLA
LAS VEGAS (AP) — Kevin Love, considered one of the nation's top basketball prospects from Lake Oswego High School in Oregon, said Tuesday he will play for UCLA.
Love's announcement ends months of speculation on whether he would choose the Bruins or North Carolina. Duke also was interested in him.
"UCLA just feels right," he said.
Although he cannot sign a letter of intent until November, he said he wanted to end the speculation and relax for the rest of the summer before his senior year with the Lakers.
Under NCAA rules, UCLA coach Ben Howland cannot comment on Love's decision before he signs.
"If I can fit into that system and be a part of that tradition ... then that's going to be huge," Love said.
The 6-foot-9, 250-pound forward made his announcement at Foothill High School in Las Vegas, where he is playing in an Amateur Athletic Union tournament. During a news conference, he donned a UCLA cap.
Love, a two-time Oregon Class 4A player of the year, averaged 29 points and nearly 17 rebounds a game last season as he led the Lakers to their first state championship.
Love and South Medford's Kyle Singler are among the nation's top prep players. Singler has not announced where he'll attend college, but Love's announcement led to speculation that he'd head for UCLA, as the two are good friends.
Love is the nephew of Mike Love of the Beach Boys. His father, Stan Love, played at Oregon and later in the NBA.
The younger Love had earlier ruled out playing at Oregon.
Love is considered by many to be the nation's second-best prospect behind guard O.J. Mayo of North College Hill High in Ohio, who is said to have settled on USC.
"It would be crazy if we were both there (in L.A.)," Love said. "We have a good friendship and it would be a lot of fun. It'd be huge for the USC-UCLA rivalry."
