Rising Freshman Verbals To UCLA

It took just one unofficial visit to convince Taylor King, a 6-6 swingman from Mater Dei High School in Santa Ana, California to stay close to home when he plays college basketball. "I was there at UCLA yesterday and the coaches offered me," King said. "So I committed this morning. I called them this morning. I love the campus. I feel comfortable with the coaches."

King, who was outstanding at the ABCD camp in early July at FDU in Teaneck, New Jersey, is a player that will need to physically mature. But he has plenty of time and he is already very skilled. "I just turned 15," he said. "I want to get stronger and bigger."

King displayed some great consistency in his perimeter game while at the ABCD camp in Teaneck, New Jersey. King also showcased some toughness in playing for his team. He rebounds well in traffic and was impressive in the way he moved the ball after a rebound in his defensive zone.

Though a member of the 2007 class, King said he is going to work hard every day in preparation for the next level. "I want to work on my foot speed," he said. "I have time to work on it but I want to work on it every day."

Taylor also said he was interested in Arizona and Stanford. "I am glad I won't have to worry about my (recruiting) situation for the next few years," he said. "I plan on being back at ABCD camp for the next few years too."

Give credit for King's performance at ABCD for convincing the staff at UCLA that now was the right time to offer him. King proved he could play with players much older than him.