Isaac Hamilton has officially signed with UCLA, but won’t play until next season.
A graduate of St. John Bosco High School (Bellflower, Calif.) in 2013, Hamilton began his fall quarter classes and signed a scholarship offer from UCLA on Thursday. He was admitted to the school earlier this month.
“We are very excited to welcome Isaac to the Bruin family,” head coach Steve Alford said. “He comes from a great family, a strong high school program here in Los Angeles and he had an exceptional career as a McDonald’s All-American; an honor that encompasses skill, academics and character. Isaac is a big, versatile guard and will fit well with our system of play. We are excited he is a Bruin today.”
Hamilton initially signed a Letter of Intent with UTEP, but wanted to get out of it in order to be close to his sick grandmother. UTEP coach Tim Floyd wouldn’t let Hamilton out of the Letter, and his waiver was denied.
Hamilton is rated nationally by Rivals.com as the No. 14 overall player in his high school class and the No. 3 shooting guard. He is ranked the No. 32 overall player in his class by ESPN.com.
“It’s hard to put into words how happy I am to be part of the UCLA basketball program,” Hamilton said. “UCLA is one the elite schools in the country and it is an honor to be a Bruin. I am excited to start classes today and I can’t wait to practice with my teammates and ultimately compete with them for Coach Alford.”
As a senior, Hamilton averaged 23.5 points, 7.6 rebounds, 5.0 assists and 2.1 steals per game, earned McDonald’s All-America honors and helped guide St. John Bosco to the CIF Southern Section Division III-A title in 2013. As a junior, Hamilton captured all-state honors from Cal-Hi Sports after averaging 24.3 points, 9.6 rebounds and 5.4 assists and helping the Braves advance to the CIF-SS Division III-A regional final.
