Tyler Honeycutt to play for UCLA
UCLA BASKETBALL
Top recruit from Sylmar was a late bloomer who plans to sign with the Bruins in November.
Tyler Honeycutt, a 6-foot-8 senior forward from Sylmar who emerged over the spring and summer as one of the most improved high school basketball players in the nation, announced Wednesday that he would sign with UCLA.
Honeycutt averaged 16 points and 10 rebounds as a junior, but he had no scholarship offers. Then he joined the Pump 'N Run club team and saw his stock soar.
UCLA Coach Ben Howland and USC Coach Tim Floyd singled him out as a top recruit, and both went all-out trying to recruit him. Last weekend, Honeycutt attended the sold-out Ohio State-USC football game at the Coliseum in Floyd's final attempt to woo him.
"I just think he felt he'd have a good opportunity at UCLA and it's been his dream school since he was a little kid," Honeycutt's mother, Lisa Stazel said.
Honeycutt plans to sign officially with the Bruins during the NCAA early-signing period in November.
Howland and his top assistants, who are prohibited by NCAA rules to comment about Honeycutt until he officially signs, closely followed the player's progress during a club tournament last July in Las Vegas and were convinced of the impact he can make. Despite his size, Honeycutt can shoot three-pointers as if he were a guard and he has improved his rebounding and defense.
Honeycutt has relatives who are 7 feet and 6-11 on both sides of his family.
His commitment gives the Bruins three players who will sign on Nov. 12. The others are 6-9 Brendan Lane from Rocklin High near Sacramento and 6-7 Reeves Nelson from Modesto Christian.
eric.sondheimer@latimes.com
diane.pucin@latimes.com
