BASKETBALL UPDATE: UCLA RECRUIT DENIED.

Byline: Billy Witz Staff Writer

The UCLA basketball team was dealt a blow Tuesday when prized recruit Evan Burns, a McDonald's All-American at Fairfax High in Los Angeles, was denied admission to the school after his transcripts were not approved by the NCAA Clearinghouse.

Burns achieved the minimum qualifying SAT score last winter, but it was his performance in the classroom that failed to satisfy the NCAA's minimum requirements, according to a source. UCLA does not accept partial qualifiers or nonqualifiers.

Burns, a 6-foot-8, 220-pound small forward who drew the interest of NBA scouts last season, was expected to be the most significant addition to a team that lost three starters - Dan Gadzuric, Matt Barnes and Billy Knight - who accounted for more than 51 percent of the scoring and 46 percent of the rebounding.

Burns, if he did not start, was certain to get significant playing time this season.

UCLA coach Steve Lavin, who was unavailable for comment, said in a statement: ``Evan Burns is a talented young man who has a bright future. Our staff wishes him well in his future academic and athletic career.''

Burns, who could not be reached for comment, mulled entering the NBA draft last spring. Where he ends up is uncertain. The only other school to recruit him heavily was San Diego State. Marvin Menzes, an Aztecs assistant, said Tuesday he expected to know today if his school was still interested. Another school said to have interest is Fresno State, though first-year coach Ray Lopes could not be reached for comment.

There were concerns about Burns ability to qualify at UCLA. He made a commitment to the school last September but was not allowed to sign a letter of intent until the spring in order to demonstrate he was making progress toward qualifying.

Burns, who did not graduate from Fairfax in June, spent the summer trying to catch up. He took classes at Santa Monica City College in July and August and at UCLA during the second summer session, for which students are taking finals this week.