Larry Drew II has enrolled at the University of California at Los Angeles and will finish his collegiate basketball career as a Bruin.
Drew started class at UCLA on Monday, the first day of the university’s spring quarter.
“We are very excited about the addition of Larry Drew II to our program,” UCLA coach Ben Howland said in a teleconference. “He is an outstanding player and a really good kid. He is a great person and I think that he will be a great player for the Bruins in his final season of eligibility.”
Drew left North Carolina suddenly in early February, almost three weeks after Drew lost his starting point guard duties to freshman Kendall Marshall.
His departure was a surprise to North Carolina and left the Tar Heels shorthanded in the ball-handling department.
“He’s a great teammate and he’s been here with me through everything,” UNC forward Tyler Zeller said following Drew’s departure. “But at the same time, he has been through it all with us. He left us a little stranded.”
Because Drew transferred, NCAA rules stipulate that he must sit out the 2011-2012 season with UCLA, but he may still practice with the team. Drew will be able to take the court for the Bruins in the 2012-2013 season.
Drew, a Los Angeles native, said in the teleconference that he’s happy to be back home.
“I had a great learning experience at North Carolina and they taught me a lot,” he said. “I’m looking forward to getting a fresh start at UCLA and I’m happy to be a Bruin. Next year will give me time to focus on my academics and of course, train with the team.”
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