M. basketball: Hollins gives up shot at U.S. team

Andrew Finley
Published: Monday, July 19, 2004

A lingering knee injury has prevented Ryan Hollins from competing for a spot on the 2004 USA Basketball World Championship 20-and-under team.

But he is still expected to recover in time for UCLA’s season opener November 20 against Chicago State.

Hollins, a redshirt junior who started 16 games last year at center and averaged 6.5 points per game, was one of 24 players selected to participate at the National Team Trials and training camp taking place this week in New Jersey.

But Hollins recently informed USA Basketball that he would not be able to attend because of the injury, which might require arthroscopic surgery.

He also will miss the remaining portion of the Nike Los Angeles College Pro-City League, which he played in last summer but had not yet suited up for this year. He attended Sunday’s Sinclairs’ Bruins and Playmakers game to watch many of his teammates play.

The 6-foot-11 center was not wearing any visible braces and was walking without a limp. He was unavailable for comment when contacted regarding the injury.

Having lost the starting center job to teammate Michael Fey at the beginning of last season, Hollins emerged as one of the few bright spots for a Bruin team that went 11-17.

Hollins is once again expected to compete for the starting center position along with Michael Fey once again this year.

But the two may share the court frequently this upcoming season.

The Bruin frontline from last season has been depleted with the graduation of T.J. Cummings and Trevor Ariza’s decision to leave for the NBA.

Should Hollins’ injury force him to miss part of the regular season, the void would most likely be filled by Josiah Johnson, Matt McKinney and incoming freshman Lorenzo Mata.

With reports from Sagar Parikh, Bruin sports reporter