Brown is showing he’s ready for a starting role when called upon

UCLA guard stars in final preseason tuneup and could step in for hurt Dailey in opener.

- By Ben Bolch

The UCLA player who logged the most minutes, grabbed the most rebounds and snagged the most steals Tuesday night was also the one who’s probably come the furthest in his college career.

And when the season starts next week, he’s likely going to fill a bigger-than-expected role.

Jamar Brown continued to show that he’s ready for major college basketball by logging a double-double during the No. 12 Bruins’ 94-64 rout of UC Irvine at Pauley Pavilion in their final exhibition game.

Brown finished with 13 points to go with team highs in rebounds (10), steals (three) and minutes (28), production that was largely a result of a relentless approach for someone who started his career at the junior college level and spent the last two seasons playing in the Summit League.

"With Jamar Brown, you never have to coach effort or attitude — and I’m talking to the maximum,” UCLA coach Mick Cronin said. “His effort, like some guys — they'll tell you, ‘I play hard.’ But if you watch them, they play at like 80%. Jamar Brown plays at 100%. Like, I could not ask him to play harder than he plays.”