Al Freeman to UCLA

While UCLA awaits the fate of star freshman wing Shabazz Muhammad, they got some good news on Saturday.

Al Freeman, a 6-foot-4 combo guard from Findlay Prep, verbally committed to the Bruins during his official visit.

He Tweeted: “I’m officially a UCLA Bruin, thank you too all the people who supported me and especially my family! All love. Long way to go though.”

Freeman, who transferred to Findlay from Charlotte (N.C.) Olympic for his senior season, was to have taken visits to Ohio State (Sept. 15), Villanova (Sept. 28) and Duke (Oct. 19) and Kansas but those won’t be necessary now.

“I think they’re just picking up where they left off with this past recruiting class,” Findlay Prep coach Michael Peck told SNY.tv by phone. “Al’s another tremendous player who is physically ready from a strength standpoint.

“You look at his body, he’s got good guard skills, he can handle it. He’s made an effort this spring and summer to try to be somewhat more of a point guard to distribute.

“On top of that he’s a tremendous scorer. He’s got a great mid-range and great long-range  game. Once he works on on finishing at the rim, he’ll be a tremendous triple-threat.