Love legacy
Kevin Love was at UCLA for only one season, but he wants to be part of the legacy of great centers to play for the Bruins and isn't going to forget the school any time soon, he said.
"I'm just looking to leave a legacy at UCLA,'' Love said. "Former basketball players such as Kareem Abdul Jabbar, who played under Coach Wooden as Lew Alcindor, and Bill Walton left their legacy on the basketball court, and off the court as well. I want to continue to do that beyond basketball.
"I want to help this school financially, sponsor player with my financial resources any way I possibly can.
"Lastly, I want to be come back UCLA, get my degree and put a smile on my mother's face.
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About Inside UCLA
This is Brian Dohn's sixth season covering UCLA after spending 4 1/2 years covering the Dodgers for the Daily News and other Los Angeles Newspaper Group papers. He graduated from Rutgers, where the first college football game was played in 1869. Sure, the Scarlet Knights suffered for a long time, but now RU is doing what Jerseyans always thought was possible. Winning at Rutgers also proves winning is possible everywhere else in the nation, so underachieving coaches better be careful. Now, if only men's hoops can turn it around.
Nice sentiment. And I don't doubt this honorable kid will give back to this college in the form of money. But get his degree? Not likely. Graduation rates for people who start college are about 70%, and about
5% for dropouts. But no matter. Love will eventually be able to buy his own college, and get some kind of honorable degree.
Oops, not honorable degree-- honorary degree; don't want the "correction police" on this blog to catch me on this one.
Based on Kevin's character, he most likely meant what he said about someday getting his degree from UCLA. If Baron Davis can come back and take classes in pursuing his degree, why not Kevin in the near future?
Is ONLYTHETRUTH also LawyerJohn?
1st of all, it maybe a USC tradition to "buy" degrees (like that Walmart heiress) but doesn't exactly work like that at UCLA. Buying his own college sounds a little dumb, don't you think?
Secondly, consider how much of an influence his mom probably was in that announcement. He didn't have to say anything. He's gonna be a multi-millionaire. At the end of the day, he wants to do right by his mom. I don't know about your mom, but mine would have kicked my butt had I not gotten my degree.
Last of all, I'm proud of his academic endeavors. He's a top student whereas others at 'SC are struggling to maintain minimum eligibility (McKnight & Mayo) in order to play or not penalize 'SC, or basically FORCED to enter the draft (Davon Jefferson) because as a 21 year-old freshmen, they aren't getting any younger or smarter (and let's face it, he's not the sharpest tool in the shed which is saying at lot at USC).
Also, consider the example of Aaron Afflalo and Baron Davis
no offense, but there is a big difference between a "college drop out" and a player who leaves college for the NBA...
even Shaq returned to college to get his MBA (albeit at the University of Phoenix, not LSU). Love has shown that he has always respected the traditions at UCLA, and I could easily see him coming back to earn his degree.
Hell, he's earned honor roll during his year here, which is alot better than what i'm getting.
Is ONLYTHETRUTH also LawyerJohn?
1st of all, it maybe a USC tradition to "buy" degrees (like that Walmart heiress) but doesn't exactly work like that at UCLA. Buying his own college sounds a little dumb, don't you think?
Secondly, consider how much of an influence his mom probably was in that announcement. He didn't have to say anything. He's gonna be a multi-millionaire. At the end of the day, he wants to do right by his mom. I don't know about your mom, but mine would have kicked my butt had I not gotten my degree.
Last of all, I'm proud of his academic endeavors. He's a top student whereas others at 'SC are struggling to maintain minimum eligibility (McKnight & Mayo) in order to play or not penalize 'SC, or basically FORCED to enter the draft (Davon Jefferson) because as a 21 year-old freshmen, they aren't getting any younger or smarter (and let's face it, he's not the sharpest tool in the shed which is saying at lot at USC).
Also, consider the example of Aaron Afflalo and Baron Davis
If he truly wanted to leave a legacy, he should have stayed another season to help us win another title. Otherwise, he's just a flash in the pan. And does UCLA really need his donations? We're not exactly a destitute athletic program.
Legacy? Walton and Alcindor had 7 NCAA championships between them. Love, one Pac-10 title. Who are all these guys kidding about declaring for the draft. Mbah Moute? - Can't shoot. Shipp? - Slow and can't shoot. Collison - Too small. Aboya - Can't shoot and can't defend without fouling. If the Bruins had six NBA guys on the team, they would have won the championship by 40 points. Who is advising these guys? I'll give some advice...don't do it. By the way, what ever happened to Ed O'Bannon?
Yeah Truth, he's gonna buy his own college...and then after that, maybe he'll buy a spaceship! YAY!!
Big Ed played for 2.5 years in the NBA before being cut and went on to play in Italy, Spain, Greece and Poland. He retired at age 30 while trying out for a Chinese team.
Ed finished his bachelors at UNLV and now sells cars in Las Vegas.
The knock on Ed-O was that he was too small to be a forward and too slow to be a guard.
Unfortunately that's the future I see for Kevin Love. Another year in school and maybe he could work on his strength and speed. If he's lucky he could have a growth spurt, grow three inches and be a legit 6'11"
Bruin NV,
Have you seen our athletic facilities? How about the struggles we're having with the Pauley renovation. Our athletic department has trouble raising big chunks of money for major products and contributions from anyone helps, especially if it's a former Bruin that's in the NBA and took us to a Final Four. Seeing someone like that stay involved with encourage the average fan to donate and help out. Love's donations will be a help, just like anyone else's would be. Our athletic department isn't as well off as it may seem.