The UCLA Bruins hit a grand slam Monday when Miller Grove (GA) big man Tony Parker announced that Westwood would be his college destination.
With prized recruits Shabazz Muhammad, Kyle Anderson and Jordan Adams already on board, the Bruins head into 2012 with national title aspirations. Parker chose the Bruins over home state Georgia, Duke, Kansas, Ohio State and Memphis.
The addition of Parker provides UCLA with a beast in the paint that can score and rebound. At 6-9 280, Parker should bolster the Bruin frontline that returns Joshua Smith, Travis Wear and David Wear.
With the top recruiting class in the nation coming in, the pressure will be on Ben Howland to lead the Bruins to their first national title since 1995. UCLA has missed the NCAA tourney two of the last three seasons, leaving Howland on the hot seat.
During his career at Miller Grove, Parker led the team to four consecutive state titles and is the reigning Mr. Basketball in the state of Georgia. The Bruin faithful hope Parker can duplicate that success at the college level and return UCLA to glory.
