The rough life of a UCLA basketball star

From UCLA alum Jordan Farmar's blog on Playboy.com:

"Groupies are always part of campus life and it's something you have to watch out for. Girls used to come to our dorm room all the time, knocking on our door, leaving off notes and propositions. I was rooming with Josh Shipp, who's still on the Bruins' team. When we came in, we were all playing, all young, new on campus and girls would come in wanting to see you. They know all your stats, your personal info, where you're from, they've Googled you. It's crazy how they know you in and out."

Of course, Farmar made sure to buckle down and focus ... the reward being a burgeoning NBA career. He's out with a knee injury right now, but expects to be back with the Lakers after the All-Star game Jan. 15.

—Adam Rose

Photo: Jordan Farmar on UCLA's campus in 2006.

Credit: Mark Boster / Los Angeles Times

Jordan Farmar still a crowd-pleaser at Pauley

Bruin-turned-Laker Jordan Farmar was at the UCLA-Biola game  Friday night. He was pretty inconspicuous during play, but after the final horn he was mobbed by fans wanting autographs, pictures or just a chance to shake his hand. We've become a big Farmar fan (see Farmarmania for posts) and checked in to get his thoughts on the newest crop of Bruins.

—Adam Rose

Have you played pickup with any of the new guys?

All of them, pretty much.

What do you think about them as a whole?

They're a good group. They know how to play. They play hard. I like Jrue [Holiday] a lot. He reminds me of myself when I was in high school.

What specifically stands out about him?

His high basketball IQ. And I like the way he uses his left. He uses his left hand a lot even though he's right-handed. He's going to be a great player. He's talented. The whole class is pretty solid, all the way around.

Will Jordan Farmar save the world?

Even though he has always played in Los Angeles, Jordan Farmar seems to be constantly moving.

On Tuesday, he was hustling down the hallways of Mattel Children's Hospital UCLA, signing hats and other memorabilia just before bringing them to the kids. More important, he was bringing smiles.

One girl wasn't so sure she liked hoops. "I play for the Lakers," Farmar beamed as he handed her a shirt. He looked over to some of her family members in the room. "But you can give this to your brother if you don't like basketball." She grinned. And kept the shirt. Not wanting to leave anybody out, Farmar invited her brother to his inaugural basketball camp being held next month in Pauley Pavilion.

Family is clearly important to Farmar. He was joined in the hospital by his mom, sister and stepdad. His sister plays basketball for Taft High School, where Jordan led his team to the Los Angeles city championship before going on to play in the NCAA Finals for UCLA and NBA Finals for the Lakers. She'll join him on an upcoming trip to the Middle East to launch another basketball camp — with a unique goal.

Farmar strikes again

Is it a coincidence that all this news about Jordan Farmar is coming out the same day as the release of a blockbuster superhero action movie?

UCLA's PR people just sent over a news release saying Jordan will visit children at the university's pediatric hospital next week. Jordan's not just a one-time photo-op kind of guy ... this is a reunion lunch for children who he's helped out before.

How long until we bust out the "Farmar for Mayor" bumper stickers?

If there are any cartoonists/graphic artists out there who want to do something about Jordan saving the world, we'll gladly post it on What's Bruin.

Why we love Jordan Farmar, Part 427

UCLA alum Jordan Farmar recently was serving as an ambassador for his sport in Korea and soon he's going to the Middle East to unite waring factions. At least for a few days, he's back in home Los Angeles. Not satisfied to rest on his laurels, he's scheduled a visit Filipinotown to pitch in for a community cleanup day.

If you're feeling a little guilty after reading that, might I suggest you get off the couch Saturday and participate in one of the mayor's CommUNITY events?

Also, it's getting hard to keep track of everything Jordan's up to (don't forget the speech he made on behalf of Barack Obama), so we've added a Farmarmania category to the blog. It'll be on the right column of this page any time you want to keep up with Mr. Los Angeles.

Why we love Jordan Farmar

If there weren't enough reasons to root for Jordan Farmar (I lost count awhile ago), here's another one:

He's trying to unite Israelis and Palestinians. Children. By playing basketball.

Is this guy the salt of the earth, or what?

Photo by Stephen Dunn / Getty Images

Go to the Lakers-Celtics game — on Jordan Farmer

Lakers point guard, UCLA alum and all-around nice guy Jordan Farmer has got a deal for you.

Enter his Jordan Farmar Foundation NBA Championship Experience Raffle. The grand prize is a pair of lower-level, center-court seats to game four of the NBA Finals (plus a bunch of ridiculously cool perks). Even if you don't get the tickets, all proceeds will benefit UCLA Mattel Children’s Hospital, Special Olympics, the Metropolitan YMCA and other charities serving children.

That's what I call a win-win.

Tickets are cheap too. They are only $2 each, with a minimum purchase of five. The more you buy, the cheaper they get. I'm putting my money where my mouth is and purchased 10.

What are you waiting for? The deadline is 9 a.m. (EDT) Tuesday.