Reeves Nelson dismissed from UCLA basketball team

Reeves Nelson, UCLA's leading scorer and rebounder a year ago, and a Sports Illustrated cover subject on its basketball issue two months ago, has been dismissed from the UCLA basketball team, Coach Ben Howland announced Friday.

Nelson, a 6-foot-9 junior forward from Modesto, was in the process of serving his second suspension of this season when he and Howland met Friday after Nelson finished final exams.

"After much thought and deliberation, I have made the decision to dismiss Reeves Nelson from the UCLA men's basketball team effective immediately," Howland said in a statement.

Both suspensions this season had come because of insubordinate behavior. In what turned out to be his final game for UCLA last Saturday, a 69-59 loss to Texas, Nelson spent the entire second half on the bench and was seen laughing and pointing to a small group of people in the crowd at the Sports Arena that was chanting his name near the end of the game.

Tuesday, a day after Nelson was suspended for the second time, Howland said there were defined things Nelson needed to do to begin practicing and playing again.

"He needs to stay consistent," Howland said.  "The last time he was suspended, when we did bring him back, he had the best practice the first practice, the first day back. Last week’s practices, he was falling back into the same habits.

"It's definitely a distraction and we don’t need any distractions. It’s tough enough to come together without being distracted. It’s a tough situation with them (the team) because many of them are close friends with Reeves off the floor."

UCLA (2-5) plays its next game at 4 p.m. Saturday against Pennsylvania at the Honda Center.

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Photo: Reeves Nelson. Credit: Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times

Reeves Nelson suspended indefinitely from UCLA basketball team

Reeves Nelson, UCLA's leading scorer and rebounder last season, has been suspended for the second time this season, basketball coach Ben Howland announced in a statement released Tuesday morning.

Nelson, a 6-8 junior forward,  had already served a suspension last month for insubordinate behavior. Since then, he missed the team plane to Hawaii, where the Bruins played in the Maui Classic, and was seen during last Saturday’s loss to Texas pointing to, and laughing with, fans in the stands who were chanting his name.

Nelson, who was on the cover of Sports Illustrated's West Coast version of its college basketball issue, played only 12 minutes in the 69-59 loss to Texas at the Sports Arena -- none in the second half -- and was scoreless.

The Bruins (2-5) are off until they host Penn on Saturday at the Honda Center.

This suspension, according to the UCLA statement, is for conduct unbecoming a member of the UCLA basketball team.

“This continues a trend of very disappointing behavior by Reeves,” Howland said in the statement. “I personally have worked hard with him to illustrate the importance of the code of conduct for our student-athletes, as well as the ramifications for violating it. I am disappointed that he has continued to fall short of my expectations.”

There is no specific timetable for the reevaluation of Nelson’s status with the team. Howland has a regularly scheduled weekly media conference at 1:30 p.m. Tuesday.

On Monday, Howland spoke to Times columnist T.J. Simers and said he had made mistakes in his handling of Nelson; Howland seemed particularly displeased with Nelson's behavior on the bench Saturday.

Nelson, very active on Twitter, had only one tweet this morning, saying, "8 AM final this morning. Yippeeeee."

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Photo: Reeves Nelson. Credit: Stephen Dunn / Getty Images

UCLA's Ben Howland: Reeves Nelson won't start 'any time soon'

Just because Reeves Nelson is back playing for UCLA doesn't mean he has left Coach Ben Howland's doghouse.

Howland said Sunday that Nelson, his only returning all-conference player, would not start "any time soon" in the wake of his early-season suspensions that sidelined him 1 1/2 games before he returned during the Maui Invitational.

"He's got to have a good attitude, be accountable for a while here before that's going to happen," Howland said.

Howland said he was pleased with Nelson's behavior during the second half of the Chaminade game, which was his first time back on the court since the Bruins' opener, and the Kansas game, "but sometimes he slips back to his old practice habits and he's just got to get better."

Nelson was suspended indefinitely after UCLA's season-opening loss to Loyola Marymount in part because he was late to a team meeting, then sat out the first half of the Chaminade game after missing the team bus to the airport and the team flight to Hawaii.

For UCLA (1-4) to rebound from a lousy start, Nelson must revert to the player who averaged 13.9 points last season and played hard-nosed defense during a home victory against Arizona, not the one prone to sulking and disappearing for stretches. Nelson has made one start this season and is averaging 8.0 points and 5.5 rebounds.

In injury news, Howland said sophomore forward Travis Wear practiced Sunday and was expected to play against Pepperdine after needing five stitches to close a wound he suffered while snorkeling in Hawaii. Sophomore center Anthony Stover tweaked his shoulder injury but is expected to play. But junior forward De'End Parker will remain out because of a knee injury.

Howland said guard Larry Drew II, who must sit out this season after transferring from North Carolina, injured his groin before the team left for Hawaii and remains sidelined.

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Photo: UCLA forward Reeves Nelson falls to the court as he battles Kansas forward Thomas Robinson for a loose ball during a game in the Maui Invitational. Credit: Brian Spurlock / US Presswire

UCLA basketball: Bruins already at the crossroads

Depending on the outcome of UCLA's game against No. 15 Michigan on Wednesday in a Maui Invitational consolation game, the Bruins will either:

• Have notched their first signature victory of the season, moved back to within a game of .500 and gained some much-needed momentum heading into a much softer portion of their nonconference schedule.

Or...

• Have lost for the fourth time in five games, with the victory coming over Division II Chaminade, and moved to the brink of a complete meltdown heading back to a game against another mid-major at the Sports Arena, where they are already 0-2.

For UCLA to beat Michigan, the Bruins will have to handle the Wolverines' 1-3-1 defense and get much better production out of a disappointing front line. Forward Reeves Nelson was late in arriving to Hawaii and center Joshua Smith was essentially a no-show against Kansas with one point in 13 minutes before fouling out. Forwards David and Travis Wear have continued their shooting struggles and backups Anthony Stover and Brendan Lane have been mostly glued to the bench.

UCLA Coach Ben Howland said he was considering giving senior Jerime Anderson more minutes at the point guard spot after his inspired play against the Jayhawks, something that could give the Bruins a boost. Senior guard Lazeric Jones has shot abysmally while appearing to press too much over the season's first four games.

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Photo: UCLA forward Travis Wear, right, tries to block a shot by Kansas forward Justin Wesley during the Bruins' 72-56 loss Tuesday. Credit: Eugene Tanner / Associated Press

UCLA basketball: Reeves Nelson reinstated, will play against Chaminade

UCLA Coach Ben Howland reinstated Reeves Nelson on Wednesday, welcoming the volatile junior forward back to the team after a one-game suspension for behavior issues.

Nelson is scheduled to resume practicing with the team Thursday and will travel to Hawaii and play in the Maui Invitational, which starts for the Bruins (0-2) on Monday with a game against Chaminade (3-0).

"Reeves understands that his reinstatement is contingent on his ability to continually meet the high standards we have established for all UCLA men's basketball players," Howland said in a statement. "He expressed to me in our meeting earlier [Wednesday] that he desires to be a better person and better teammate going forward and, given that, I feel as though I should give him that opportunity."

Nelson said in a statement that he acknowledged there were "corrections that need to be made and I'm grateful to Coach Howland and to have this opportunity to improve and work on being a positive force for our team."

Nelson had 13 points and eight rebounds in UCLA's season-opening loss to Loyola Marymount, during which he tuned out coaches during timeout huddles and sulked on the court when things went poorly for the Bruins.

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Photo: UCLA Coach Ben Howland, left, speaks with forward Reeves Nelson during an exhibition game on Nov. 6. Credit: Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times

UCLA basketball: Decision on Reeves Nelson's status expected Wednesday afternoon

A decision on the status of UCLA junior forward Reeves Nelson, who was suspended indefinitely earlier this week over behavior issues and sat out the Bruins' 86-66 loss to Middle Tennessee State on Tuesday, is expected to be announced between 3 p.m. and 5 p.m. on Wednesday, according to two school officials.

UCLA Coach Ben Howland said after his team's second consecutive loss to open the season that he had met with Nelson and his mother in person on Monday, with Nelson's father on speaker phone, for about 70 minutes to discuss the situation. Howland said he was also scheduled to meet alone with Nelson again Wednesday.

What would Howland need to hear from Nelson to reinstate him on the team?

"Just an understanding that he's got a lot of things that need to improve in terms of coachability, attitude, interacting with his teammates, representing the university the way we expect it to be represented," Howland said. "We'll have a long talk concerning a lot of different issues."

UCLA is scheduled to leave for Hawaii on Saturday before opening the Maui Invitational on Monday against Chaminade.

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Photo: UCLA forward Reeves Nelson. Credit: Stephen Dunn / Getty Images

UCLA basketball: Reeves Nelson suspended indefinitely over behavior

UCLA Coach Ben Howland announced late Monday that he has suspended junior forward Reeves Nelson indefinitely for unspecified behavior issues.

Nelson, the team's leading returning scorer and rebounder from last season, will not be with the team Tuesday when it plays Middle Tennessee State at the Sports Arena.

"This is a very disappointing situation for Reeves and for our basketball program," Howland said in a statement. "We have a high standard and code of conduct that our student-athletes are expected to adhere to and Reeves has fallen short of our expectations."

Nelson's status will be reevaluated after he meets with Howland this week, according to the statement. Nelson had 13 points and eight rebounds in UCLA's season-opening 69-58 loss to Loyola Marymount on Friday.

We'll have more later at www.latimes.com/sports.

--Ben Bolch

Photo: UCLA forward Reeves Nelson (22) tries to split the defense of Loyola Marymount guard Jarred DuBois, right, and forward Godwin Okonji (22) as he drives to the basket in the second half Friday night. Credit: Gus Ruelas / Associated Press

UCLA basketball: Recruit Kyle Anderson stands by Bruins

(Over)reaction was predictably swift after No. 17 UCLA's ugly opening loss to Loyola Marymount on Friday at the Sports Arena.

Fans started a "Potential Ben Howland Replacements Thread" on a message board, alluding to their momentary desire to replace the coach who had just presided over the Bruins' first loss to the Lions since 1941.

Sophomore center Joshua Smith logged on to Twitter to vent his frustration, writing, "Just lost to some straight bums lol."

That left UCLA recruit Kyle Anderson as the voice of reason Saturday. The 6-foot-8 senior standout from Jersey City (N.J.) St. Anthony High who attended the Bruins' 69-58 defeat was standing by his future teammates.

"It was a surprise, but it was a tough loss," Anderson said. "Everyone goes through them. I'm sure UCLA will bounce right back."

What did Anderson see as the difference in UCLA's first loss as the home team at the Sports Arena since an 88-79 defeat to Utah on Dec. 29, 1961?

"LMU played their best game and it just so happened that UCLA didn't play their best game," Anderson said. "LMU made a lot of tough shots, a lot of long shots and a lot of layups. We just missed a couple of layups, nothing really major."

Anderson, who signed a letter of intent with UCLA earlier this week, said the defeat that is sure to knock the Bruins out of the national rankings did not change his perception of the team or the program.

"No," Anderson said. "Not at all."

Of course, UCLA clearly has issues to address before heading to Hawaii next week for the Maui Invitational. Heck, the Bruins have things to sort out before thinking they can even beat Middle Tennessee State on Tuesday.

They must stay in front of their man on defense and close out better on the perimeter. On offense, they must find a way to more effectively utilize Smith and forward Reeves Nelson while resisting the urge to shoot too many three-pointers like they did Friday, when they made only two of 15 attempts from beyond the arc.

Anderson said he hung out with the Bruins in the dorms after the game.

"They were upset," Anderson said. "They understood it's a tough loss. They just have to come together as a team."

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Photo: UCLA center Joshua Smith is blocked out by Loyola Marymount guard Jarred DuBois (4) and forward Godwin Okonji (22) during a rebound Friday night. Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea / US Presswire

UCLA basketball: Bruins impress key recruit William 'Shaq' Goodwin

UCLA picked a good weekend to host highly touted two-sport recruit William "Shaq" Goodwin on his official visit.

Goodwin watched part of the Bruins' come-from-behind football victory over Arizona State at the Rose Bowl on Saturday before catching their 80-72 triumph over Cal State San Bernardino in basketball on Sunday at Citizens Business Bank Arena in Ontario.

"I didn't know their games would be that packed," the 6-foot-8, 235-pound power forward from Decatur (Ga.) Southwest Dekalb High said of the Rose Bowl on Sunday afternoon. "It made a good impression on me."

Too bad for UCLA that Goodwin, a tight end who intends to play two sports in college, only stayed until halftime and missed a thrilling finish. But he said Coach Rick Neuheisel's team impressed him nonetheless.

"They're good," Goodwin said. "They're better than I thought they were, but I think I could help them."

UCLA marked the second official visit for Goodwin, who has also toured Memphis' campus. He said he doesn't have a favorite but that he does have a top five: UCLA, Memphis, Georgia, Florida and Arizona.

Any Bruins fans hoping Goodwin will sign a binding letter of intent next week during the early signing period stands to be disappointed; he said he would not sign until the spring.

Asked whether the presence of Bruins assistant coach Korey McCray, Goodwin's onetime coach with the Atlanta Celtics club team, would help UCLA, Goodwin said, "It does, but it's not a big factor." The Bruins have already landed a commitment from shooting guard Jordan Adams, a former club teammate of Goodwin's who played under McCray with the Celtics.

Goodwin said he was impressed with Coach Ben Howland's persistence in his recruiting.

"He comes to my school a lot; he shows a lot of support," Goodwin said. "That's not common among head coaches."

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UCLA Coach Ben Howland recently voiced concerns about his team's conditioning, saying the Bruins "were really sucking air" as the result of practicing on a high-school length court inside the men's gymnasium on campus while Pauley Pavilion undergoes renovations.

Here's the thing: UCLA has a regulation court available to practice on and isn't using it.

School spokesman Ryan Finney said the Bruins are not using the Wooden Center, which features a college-length court and will be used by the women's team for its home games this season, because of two factors: difficulty coordinating practice times with student workouts and intramurals, as well as Howland's preference for holding closed practices.

If the Bruins practiced at the Wooden Center, Finney said, they would not be able to close the facility to other students.

Asked Sunday after UCLA's 80-72 exhibition victory over Cal State San Bernardino if he thought his team's conditioning had improved from its closed scrimmage against Cal State Fullerton, Howland said: "I thought our guys were really excited. I thought Reeves [Nelson] got tired early in the game because sometimes you have the adrenaline flowing so much. Everybody was kind of like that to start the game. I think our conditioning will continue to get better as we keep pushing it, but I don't want to overdo it either."

Nelson said the Bruins had taken measures to improve their conditioning, including extra running in practice to make up for the shortened length of the court inside the men's gym.

No. 17 UCLA opens its season Friday night at the Sports Arena against Loyola Marymount.

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Photo: UCLA forward Reeves Nelson has his shot blocked by Cal State San Bernardino's D.J. Shumpert in the first half Sunday during an exhibition game in Ontario. Credit: Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times

UCLA basketball: Jerime Anderson suspended after guilty plea

UCLA senior guard Jerime Anderson has been reinstated with a two-game suspension after pleading guilty to misdemeanor charges of appropriation of lost property and trespass in the wake of his July arrest for allegedly stealing a laptop computer.

Anderson will sit out the Bruins' exhibition game against Cal State San Bernardino on Nov. 6 and their regular-season opener against Loyola Marymount on Nov. 11.

As part of a plea agreement, Anderson must complete 300 hours of community service over a two-year period. If he has no other legal issues and completes his community service as scheduled, the charge of appropriation of lost property will be withdrawn and dismissed on Sept. 15, 2013.

"Jerime has been very remorseful in acknowledging his mistake and accepting responsibility for his actions," UCLA Coach Ben Howland said in a statement. "I believe he has learned a valuable lesson."

In a recent interview with The Times, Howland called the ordeal "a very humbling experience" for Anderson and said his absence as one of only two point guards on the Bruins' roster would be "crippling." Howland said junior college transfer De'End Parker and freshman Norman Powell could back up starting point guard Lazeric Jones, with freshman walk-on David Brown also a possibility to receive playing time in Anderson's absence.

Anderson averaged 5.1 points and 2.6 assists last season as Jones' backup.

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Photo: UCLA guard Jerime Anderson gets set to play defense against Cal State Los Angeles last season. Credit: Anne Cusack /Los Angeles Times