Bruce confirms he’s headed to UCI

Steve Virgen

It might as well be October for Aaron Bruce, because the 6-foot-2

guard from Australia is ready and anxious to play NCAA Division I

college basketball right now.

Bruce, who graduated from the Australian Institute of Sport

Monday, will play for UC Irvine, pending NCAA clearance. He confirmed

such just hours before his graduation ceremony.

“Once I’m cleared by the [NCAA], I’m definitely looking forward to

playing for UCI,” said Bruce, who helped lead Australia to the World

Junior Basketball championship last month. “I’m just looking forward

to do everything I can to make UCI a great team in the NCAA.”

Because of NCAA rules, UCI coaches cannot discuss the recruiting

of Bruce.

UCI basketball offered a scholarship to Bruce in late June, he

said. However, UCI wasn’t the only school after Bruce. UCLA also

showed interest in the hot-shooting guard who made a name for himself

after scoring 25 points in a 106-85 victory over the U.S. July 17 at

the World Junior Basketball Championships in Greece.

The Bruins were about to make a formal offer to Bruce, but they

did not have a scholarship available, otherwise they would have,

Bruce said. Regardless, Bruce said he would not have went to UCLA

because he had already verbally committed to UCI.

“I didn’t want to go back on my word,” said Bruce who is aware UCI

has not reached the Big West Conference tournament championship game

the past three years. “That makes me more determined to make sure we

make it this year. I think UCI already has a good team. Hopefully I

can come in and make an immediate impact. Hopefully we can win the

Big West tournament and go to the NCAA tournament and see how far we

can go from there.”

Bruce said he can play either as the point guard or the two (the

shooting guard) and is willing to play both for the Anteaters. When

asked to describe his game, he said he models himself after Pete

Maravich, the throwback point guard known for his fancy dribbling and

passing.

Bruce can also score when needed, he said, which he did when

Australia upset the Americans last month. Bruce scored on the fast

break, from the outside and on a few mid-range shots.

“It was a game where our preparation was very well,” said Bruce,

who had extra motivation for that game. “I had a strong mind-set

against the USA because I knew I was coming over [to play for UCI]. I

was determined to prove myself.”

Bruce said he has been following NCAA basketball throughout high

school and he set a goal to play for a Division I college. Despite

never visiting the campus, Bruce chose UCI because he had heard

positive stories from his friend and former teammate, Nic Campbell,

who also plays for the Anteaters.

“I trust him,” Bruce said.

Bruce also said he wanted to go to UCI because he has played with

Campbell and the two are friends. Campbell played sparingly in only

three games last season because of a back injury but he is expected

to return this season.

Bruce will be admitted to UCI and receive his scholarship as soon

as he is cleared by the NCAA. There was a setback in the process when

one of Bruce’s classes was not considered a science, but Bruce sent

the NCAA his course outline as proof the class indeed was a science

and he is expecting clearance before the end of the month.

The addition of Bruce would leave UCI with one scholarship

available. The Anteaters had two scholarships available with the

graduation of Jordan Harris and Mike Hood. UCI gained the signings of

center Ryan Paullin and forward Mark Hill. Then, Ryan Codi and

DeVaughn Peace transferred to community colleges this summer, giving

way to Bruce and the vacant spot.