UCLA Features 17 Former Players on NBA Training Camp Rosters

As NBA preseason training camps begin this week, 17 former UCLA players are listed on training camp rosters as NBA teams prepare for exhibition games, in advance of season openers starting in late October.

Over the summer, several Bruins were involved in trades. One of the biggest trades, a three-team deal between the Minnesota Timberwolves, Cleveland Cavaliers and Philadelphia 76ers, sent 6-foot-11 All-Star forward Kevin Love from Minnesota to Cleveland. Love will be able to team up with LeBron James, a two-time NBA Champion and four-time NBA Most Valuable Player, as Cleveland looks to become a perennial power in the Eastern Conference. Also in that trade, 6-foot-8 forward Luc Richard Mbah a Moute was sent to Philadelphia.

Earlier this summer, both Love and 6-foot-3 guard Russell Westbrook were named to the 2014 USA Basketball World Cup team roster, but both Love (trade negotiations) and Westbrook (knee rehabilitation) withdrew from consideration.

Other offseason trades involved 6-foot-5 guard Arron Afflalo and 6-foot-8 forward Trevor Ariza. Afflalo was traded from the Orlando Magic to the Denver Nuggets, a team for which he previously played from 2009-12. Ariza was part of a three-team deal involving the Washington Wizards, Houston Rockets and New Orleans Pelicans. Ariza was traded from Washington to Houston, having previously played for the Rockets in 2009-10.

Former UCLA teammates Darren Collison, a 6-foot guard from Rancho Cucamonga, and 7-foot center Ryan Hollins, both joined the Sacramento Kings after having spent the 2013-14 NBA season with the Los angeles Clippers. Jordan Farmar, a 6-foot-2 guard who competed for the Los Angeles Lakers last season, signed with the Los Angeles Clippers in the offseason.

In addition, UCLA had three first-round NBA Draft selections in June. Freshman guard Zach LaVine was selected 13th overall by the Minnesota Timberwolves, before sophomore guard Jordan Adams was taken 22nd overall by the Memphis Grizzlies. Sophomore guard Kyle Anderson was chosen as the 30th overall selection by the San Antonio Spurs, who had the final pick in the first round. That marked the second time in school history in which UCLA produced three first-round picks (also occurred in 1979).

Recent UCLA gradates David and Travis Wear, fixtures in the Bruins’ frontcourt the last three seasons, have earned positions on NBA training camp rosters. Travis Wear has signed a one-year contract with the New York Knicks. David Wear earned one of 18 selections to the Sacramento Kings training camp roster.

UCLA basketball alumni who are NBA administrators or coaches include the following: Kiki Vandeweghe (UCLA, 1977-80), NBA Senior Executive Vice President of Basketball Operations; Bob Myers (UCLA, 1994-97), Golden State Warriors General Manager; Gerald Madkins (UCLA, 1988 and 1990-92), Los Angeles Clippers Director of Scouting; and Earl Watson (UCLA, 1998-01), assistant coach with the San Antonio Spurs D-League affiliate Austin Toros. Watson played for the Portland Trail Blazers last season before concluding his 13-year NBA career.

UCLA’s Returning NBA Players

Arron Afflalo – Preparing for his eighth NBA season, his second stint with the Denver Nuggets … has played in 499 games (360 starts) … career averages of 11.1 points, 2.9 rebounds, 2.0 assists and 27.4 minutes per game.

Trevor Ariza – Enters his 11th NBA season, his second stint with the Houston Rockets … has played in 632 games (331 starts) … career averages of 9.7 points, 4.6 rebounds, 2.0 assists, 1.4 steals and 26.9 minutes per game.

Matt Barnes – Begins his 12th NBA season and his fourth year playing for the Los Angeles Clippers … has played in 703 games (222 starts) … career averages of 7.9 points, 4.5 rebounds, 1.7 assists and 22.4 minutes per game.

Darren Collison – Preparing for his sixth NBA season, his first year with the Sacramento Kings … has played in 376 games (254 starts) … career averages of 11.9 points, 2.7 rebounds, 4.9 assists, 1.2 steals and 28.7 minutes per game.

Jordan Farmar – Enters his eighth NBA season and his first year with the Los Angeles Clippers … has played in 454 games (30 starts) … career averages of 7.9 points, 2.0 rebounds, 3.0 assists and 19.8 minutes per game.

Jrue Holiday – Begins his sixth NBA season, his second with the New Orleans Pelicans … has played in 332 games (310 starts) … career averages of 13.5 points, 3.6 rebounds, 6.0 assists, 1.4 steals and 32.9 minutes per game.

Ryan Hollins – Preparing for his ninth NBA season, his first year with the Sacramento Kings … has played in 435 games (55 starts) … career averages of 3.8 points, 2.2 rebounds and 12.0 minutes per game.

Jason Kapono – Preparing for his 10th NBA season, his first year with the Golden State Warriors (has not played in the NBA since 2012) ... has played in 509 games (87 starts) … career averages of 6.7 points, 1.7 rebounds, 0.8 assists and 17.8 minutes per game.

Kevin Love – Set to enter his seventh NBA season, his first year competing for the Cleveland Cavaliers … has played in 364 games (282 starts) … career averages of 19.2 points, 12.2 rebounds, 2.5 assists and 32.8 minutes per game.

Luc Richard Mbah a Moute – Enters his seventh NBA season, his first as a member of the Philadelphia 76ers … has played in 399 games (240 starts) … career averages of 6.3 points, 4.9 rebounds and 23.6 minutes per game.

Shabazz Muhammad – Will begin his second NBA season as a member of the Minnesota Timberwolves (was a rookie in the NBA in 2013-14) … played in 37 games last season … career averages of 3.9 points, 1.4 rebounds and 7.8 minutes per game.

Russell Westbrook – Set to begin his seventh NBA season, all with the Oklahoma City Thunder … has played in 440 games (423 starts) … career averages of 20.1 points, 4.9 rebounds, 6.9 assists, 1.6 steals and 33.9 minutes per game.