Booker offers peek at UCLA's prospects

In a 74-63 win against Pepperdine, Bruins’ big man is an offensive and defensive anchor.

- By BEN BoLcH

UCLA'S Eric Dailey Jr. drives around Pepperdine's Javon Cooley in the first half.

(MELINA PIZANO Getty Images)

This was what the transition was all about.

Blocking shots. Grabbing rebounds. Having a menacing presence in the paint.

That Xavier Booker looked so comfortable doing all those things in early November could portend far greater things for the converted power forward in more important games deeper into the season.

UCLA certainly was pleased with its new center Friday night at Pauley Pavilion, Booker dominating for stretches on both ends ofthe court during the No. 12 Bruins’ 74-63 victory over Pepperdine.

“Obviously, it goes without saying that Xavier Booker’s MVP of the game,” Bruins coach Mick Cronin said after the big man recorded all of his career-high five blocked shots in the second half and finished with a team-high 15 points to go with five rebounds in a strong rebuttal to his team’s flat showing in its season opener.

Playing with an edge that he said came from being challenged by his coach, Booker showed off a diverse array of skills. He made one of two three-pointers, threw down a vicious two-handed dunk and even made a nifty pass to cutting teammate Jamar Brown fora layup.

It all started with things that he had failed to do against Eastern Washington four days earlier.