UCLA basketball: Josh Smith talks Bruins

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Washington recruit Josh Smith, among the top-rated big men in the nation, offered a few thoughts tonight on why he chose to commit to the Bruins over the University of Washington.

‘In the end, I just looked at where I would feel most comfortable,’ he said. ‘The history and tradition appealed to me a lot. They’ve won 11 championships and all the great players that have come through the school.’

The 6-9 star from Covington (Wash.) Kentwood High School did feel some pull toward the Huskies, who play not far from where he lives.

(FOR THE RECORD: An earlier version of this post incorrectly listed Kentwood High School as Kent High School.)

‘A part of me wanted the opportunity to stay home,’ he said. ‘Playing with guys I grew up with, that was always a factor.’

But a visit to Westwood, hanging out with UCLA players such as J’mison Morgan, Jerime Anderson and freshman walk-on Alex Schrempf -- another Washington native -- swayed him. He also liked Coach Ben Howland‘s brand of basketball.

‘A team that plays half-court offense and defense, that fits my style,’ he said.

Smith decided to call UCLA with his decision on Monday, between the end of playing football for his high school and the start of basketball season, what he called ‘a little break where I could commit and get it out of the way.’

In the end, he said, it wasn’t a hard decision.

‘A lot of people were asking me, what’s wrong with UW?’ he said. ‘It was just that UCLA was above them in my eyes.’

-- David Wharton