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Prized recruit gives hope to Bruins fans
Saturday, January 12, 2008

By JEFF EISENBERG
The Press-Enterprise

LOS ANGELES - Renardo Sidney isn't ready to choose a college yet, but he did offer UCLA fans some hope.

As he sat courtside at Pauley Pavilion on Saturday waiting for the UCLA-Washington State game to begin, the coveted Los Angeles Fairfax High junior said he does not intend to go anywhere outside California.

"That's a hint for you," Sidney said. "I love it here too much to leave."

UCLA is one of dozens of schools recruiting Sidney, but the Bruins have not offered the 6-foot-10 big man a scholarship yet even though many recruiting services rank him as the nation's top prospect in the class of 2009. Questions about Sidney's attitude, work ethic and conditioning have dogged him even after leading Artesia High to a state title last year before transferring to Fairfax this fall.

"People say I'm lazy or whatever, but how can you be lazy scoring 30 points a game?" Sidney said. "Right now my conditioning is where I want it to be, and I'm working hard to keep it that way."

Sidney, a Mississippi native, is also being recruited by Ohio State, Florida and Texas, among others.

A group of UCLA students made it clear they hope Sidney dons a Bruins uniform one day by chanting his name before tip-off. Sidney acknowledged the cheer with a pump of his right fist. Then he spoke glowingly about the UCLA program.

"I really like UCLA," he said. "I like the way they're an up-tempo team. They get the ball inside well and they play defense well. It's definitely a great program."

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