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UCLA basketball: Nikola Dragovic reinstated

By David Wharton
Staff WriterFollow
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UCLA Coach Ben Howland has reinstated Nikola Dragovic, the senior forward who is facing a felony assault charge in connection with a fight at a Hollywood concert last month.

Dragovic missed the previous two games but will return to action against Portland in the first round of the 76 Classic tournament Thursday. Howland said Dragovic will not start but is expected to play off the bench.

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‘Based on what we know right now, we thought it was the right decision to allow him to play,’ the coach said.

Prosecutors have alleged that Dragovic pushed a man into a glass case, which shattered, causing serious injury. Dragovic’s attorney has said the alleged victim was actually the aggressor and that he had claimed to have a knife.

Dragovic and a friend are scheduled to be arraigned Dec. 21.

-- David Wharton

Sports Now
David Wharton

David Wharton has filled an array of roles – covering the courts, entertainment, sports and the second Persian Gulf War – since starting as a Los Angeles Times intern in 1982. His work has been honored by organizations such as the Society for Features Journalism and Associated Press Sports Editors and has been anthologized in “Best American Sports Writing.” He has also been nominated for an Emmy and has written two books, including “Conquest,” an inside look at USC football during the Pete Carroll era.

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