University of California, Los Angeles, Athletics
UCLA Basketball Inks T.J. Leaf to NLI
November 14, 2015 | Men's Basketball
LOS ANGELES – The UCLA basketball program has received a signed National Letter of Intent from high school senior T.J. Leaf during the early signing period, it was announced today by head coach Steve Alford.
Leaf, a 6-foot-9, 220-pound forward from El Cajon, Calif., has been rated the No. 13 player in his high school class, nationally, by ESPN.com. Named the CIF San Diego Section Division II Player of the Year last season, Leaf has also been tabbed No. 15 in the country by Rivals.com and No. 22 by Scout.com. He will enroll at UCLA in 2016 and be a freshman for the Bruins in 2016-17.
"We're thrilled to welcome T.J. to the Bruin family,” Alford said. “He's a very polished player who can knock down shots from all over the court and handle the ball. His great length, skill and athleticism make him especially dangerous both in the half court and in transition. The addition of T.J. to a recruiting class that already features Ike Anigbogu, Lonzo Ball and Kobe Paras really gives our program great momentum moving forward. We're very excited to welcome these four outstanding young men to Westwood.”
Leaf averaged 27.4 points, 14.2 rebounds, 4.8 assists, 2.7 blocks and 1.8 steals per game as a junior last season at Foothill Christian. He guided is high school team to the CIF San Diego Section Division II championship in addition to earning 2015 Coastal League Player of the Year honors. Scout.com and ESPN.com have ranked Leaf as the No. 1 and No. 2 best power forward, respectively, in his high school class in the state of California and in the Western region.
As a sophomore in 2013-14, Leaf averaged 26.5 points, 12.6 rebounds, 7.3 assists, 3.8 blocks and 2.0 steals per game. He was named the Sunset League Player of the Year as both a sophomore (2014) and freshman (2013). Leaf secured a spot on the 2013-14 MaxPreps Sophomore All-American honorable mention team.
During his freshman campaign in 2012-13, he earned first-team All-State Division V accolades from CalHiSports.com, becoming the only freshman named to the 10-person first or second teams. Leaf was a 2013 San Diego Union Tribune All-County second-team selection (was the only underclassman selected to the first or second team).
Leaf joins a recruiting class that already features a trio of high school seniors who signed National Letters of Intent on Wednesday. The Bruins other signees include Lonzo Ball (6-foot-5 guard from Chino Hills, Calif.), Ike Anigbogu (6-foot-10 center from Corona, Calif.) and Kobe Paras (6-foot-6 guard who resides in Los Angeles and grew up in Manila, Philippines).
