ARIZA ENTERS DRAFT FORWARD IGNORES ADVICE OF COACH.

Byline: Brian Dohn Staff Writer

UCLA power forward Trevor Ariza shunned the advice of coach Ben Howland, went against the initial wishes of his family and decided to withdraw from classes and enter June's NBA Draft.

It's a move that promises to be sharply criticized for some time, and one that suddenly puts UCLA in a quandary in its front court. Ariza, whose intention to enter the NBA Draft was reported Tuesday, was to be the Bruins' starting power forward next season.

Instead, incoming freshman Lorenzo Mata and juniors-to-be Ryan Hollins and Michael Fey will have to fill the void Ariza's departure created.

``It hurts our team,'' Howland said during a Tuesday afternoon press conference. ``Trevor is one of the best players on the team returning. He was a starter the whole year. He was our leading returning rebounder. Players usually make a big jump between their freshman and sophomore year, especially when they're playing 30-plus minutes a game and had the type of experience he had in the games.

``In the short term, this hurts us, but it also gives others the opportunity next year. In the long term, we're going to be just fine and we're going to move forward as a program.''

Moving forward could mean looking to the north. Ariza was also released from his scholarship, leaving open a tiny window of his return to college, although he and Howland both said it would not be at UCLA.

UCLA, which has one more scholarship to offer, is heavily involved with 7-foot power forward Robert Rothbart of Sacramento's Natomas High. The late signing period begins today and runs through May 19, and Rothbart could make his decision in the next few days.

According to Rothbart's mom, Nada, her son narrowed his choices to UCLA and Indiana.

``It's good to know (about Ariza) but I think Robert would welcome the competition,'' Nada said. ``I'm confident he'll earn his minutes anyway. He's really close to making a decision. It's 50-50.''

There is another recruiting development. The NCAA limits scholarships in men's basketball to no more than five per year and no more than eight in a two-year span. UCLA already has four highly-touted recruits signed in Mata, Jordan Farmar, Arron Afflalo and Josh Shipp.

But the NCAA may overturn that rule later this month, enabling the Bruins to add Rothbart and wing Malik Hairston out of Detroit's Renaissance High. Hairston may wait until the end of April to announce his intentions.

Meanwhile, Ariza's decision raised more than a few eyebrows, especially since the 6-foot-7, 197-pounder told Howland last week he would return for his sophomore season.

``Over the weekend I had a change of heart and decided to go after my goals, my ultimate goal,'' Ariza said. ``I think that, when a player puts his heart into something that he believes in, that anything is possible and right now I feel this is what I want to do.''

Ariza, who was third on Bruins in scoring (11.6 ppg) and second in rebounds (6.5 rpg), said he will not hire an agent but needed to leave school so he can work out every day without the distraction of class.

``I met with Trevor and his mother (Lolita), and both his mother and I tried to convince Trevor that the best thing for him ... was to stay in school, to come back next year,'' Howland said. ``I think that would have benefited him both as a student and as a basketball player. But he made the decision that he wants to go forward and put all his effort in trying to do the very best he can to be drafted this year, to pull out of school and focus on that, solely.''

Ariza added that he didn't get feedback from NBA scouts, nor did he consult former Bruins teammate Dijon Thompson about the situation. Last week Thompson said he was entering his name into the June 24 draft but would remain in classes and working out with the Bruins because he expected to return for his senior season.

Brian Dohn, [phone]

brian.dohn(at)dailynews.com

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TREVOR ARIZA

Despite coach Ben Howland's wishes, the power forward will not be returning to UCLA next season.