Drew Gordon leaves UCLA
By Jon Wilner
jwilner@mercurynews.com
Posted: 12/01/2009 06:54:53 PM PST
Updated: 12/01/2009 08:37:53 PM PST
Former Archbishop Mitty star Drew Gordon has left the UCLA basketball team just six games into his sophomore year.
Gordon, the highest-profile prospect to come out of the South Bay in decades, hopes to transfer to a team that better suits his style.
A natural power forward, the 6-foot-9 Gordon had been playing center for the struggling Bruins.
"The UCLA system is very methodical, and Drew is better as a transition player," said Gordon's mother, Shelly. "When you spend that much time and effort on something, you have to feel some gratification.
"We wanted to make the change now rather than wait and hope the situation gets better. The timing is terrible: It looks like he's leaving because they lost a bunch of games. But that's not what happened."
Gordon informed UCLA coach Ben Howland of his decision Tuesday morning — two days after he had two points and one rebound in a loss to Long Beach State. But Gordon had been considering a transfer for weeks.
"After several discussions with Drew, we both have decided that it is in the best interests of our program and Drew that he continues his career at another school," Howland said in a prepared statement released by UCLA.
Howland and Gordon declined to comment for this story.
Shelly Gordon said numerous teams have expressed interest — "We would like him to be west of the Mississippi" — but declined to get specific.
Gordon will leave school after
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the fall academic quarter. Assuming he transfers in time for the winter term, he would sit out for an academic year, per NCAA rules, and play next December.
If Gordon attends a school outside the Pac-10, he would have 21/2 years of eligibility remaining.
If he attends a school within the conference, he would have 11/2 years left and wouldn't receive financial aid during the 12-month period of inactivity.
"The decision to go to UCLA was based on it being a great university and Drew having family down there," Shelly Gordon said. "Now, we'll be making a basketball decision."
Gordon was one of the top front-court prospects in the nation as a senior at Mitty and had scholarship offers from Washington, Arizona and Cal.
He averaged just 11 minutes per game as a UCLA freshman but started the first six games this season. Much like his team, Gordon struggled on both ends of the court. He also had occasional differences with Howland.
The demanding coach and the emotional, outspoken player were an odd match from the start. During an interview last month, Gordon said they have had several "heart to hearts" and that "it's good to work things out behind closed doors."
Apparently, they didn't work everything out.
"I don't think Drew will ever be the person the coach wants him to be, and I don't think Coach Howland will ever be the person Drew wants him to be," Shelly Gordon said.
"There's a mismatch there."
