BOYS' BASKETBALL: UCLA'S PRIZE SHOWS HIS STUFF AT SHOWCASE.Byline: Sean Ceglinsky Staff Writer James Keefe was just like any other college basketball College basketball most often refers to the American basketball competitive governance structure established by the National Collegiate Athletic Association, or NCAA. History
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UCLA University Center for Learning Assistance (Illinois State University) UCLA University of Carrollton, TX and Lower Addison, TX to the Final Four. This time next year, the 6-foot-8 forward from Santa Margarita Santa Margarita ("Saint Margaret") may refer to:
``I filled out a couple of brackets for fun and had UCLA going all the way in one of them and making the Final Four in another, so they're living up to my expectations,'' Keefe said. ``I grew up a fan, so seeing the team doing well and knowing I'm going to be a part of a big-time program is great. ``UCLA has a great history. They're on the rise again, and I can't wait to be a part of it.'' Keefe also is honored to be playing in the 29th annual McDonald's game, following in the footsteps of Magic Johnson (1977), Michael Jordan (1981), Shaquille O'Neal (1989), Kevin Garnett (1995), Kobe Bryant (1996) and LeBron James (2003). ``Reaching the same level Magic and Michael Jordan did seems beyond reach,'' Keefe said. ``We're on the same path. though. It's incredible. It's hard to believe that I'm a McDonald's All-American. It hasn't really set in yet.'' Keefe was a four-year varsity starter at Santa Margarita, and he averaged 17 points and 12 rebounds as a junior and 22 points, 14 rebounds and four blocks as a senior en route to back-to-back Southern Section Div. III-AA Player of the Year awards. Recruiting services listed him among the top forward prospects in the nation, and Keefe committed to UCLA before his junior season. ``James has all the tools: offensively, defensively, on the boards,'' Santa Margarita coach Jerry DeBusk said. ``He can play with his back to the basket or take you outside. If you don't come out on him, he can stick the 3-pointer. If you overplay o·ver·play v. o·ver·played, o·ver·play·ing, o·ver·plays v.tr. 1. a. To present (a dramatic role, for example) in an exaggerated manner. b. To emphasize or stress unduly. him, he puts the ball on the floor, creates, finds the open man or just goes by the defender and dunks. ``We've never had a player like him, with his credentials, around here before. His work ethic is tremendous. It doesn't matter if it's a game or a practice, he's very workmanlike work·man·like adj. Befitting a skilled artisan or craftsperson; skillfully done. workmanlike Adjective skilfully done: a neat workmanlike job Adj. 1. , which is a novelty for today's type of basketball player.'' Keefe hopes to make an immediate impact for the Bruins, who have depth returning in the frontcourt with Luc Richard Mbah a Moute Luc Richard Mbah a Moute (born 9 September 1986 in Yaounde, Cameroon) is a 6' 8" Cameroonian basketball player who plays for the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) Bruins in the Pacific Ten Conference of the NCAA. , Alfred Aboya and Lorenzo Mata. ``I see him as an unbelievable rebounder from day one, at the highest level,'' UCLA coach Ben Howland said. ``A big impactor, whose motor is constantly going. He plays very, very hard all the time. He might be able to play the three at sometime, but right now he's a power forward.'' Sean Ceglinsky, (818) 713-3607 sean.ceglinsky(at)dailynews.com CAPTION(S): box Box: McDONALD'S GAMES |
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