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Report: Former UTEP signee Isaac Hamilton enrolls at UCLA

2013 McDonald's All American Games

CHICAGO, IL - APRIL 03: Isaac Hamilton #4 of the West shoots between Andrew Wiggins #22 (L) and Demetrius Jackson #11 of the East during the 2013 McDonald’s All American game at United Center on April 3, 2013 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/GettyImages)

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In the aftermath of their missing out on point guards Jordan McLaughlin and Quentin Snider, the question has been asked in many circles what the next step would be for the UCLA basketball program. This year’s roster doesn’t have a concrete answer at the position, and it’s something that becomes even more problematic when looking towards the future under head coach Steve Alford.

But the Bruins may have found an answer, one that while a bit unconventional is also an extremely talented one.

That answer: McDonald’s All-American Isaac Hamilton. After having his request to be released from the National Letter of Intent he signed after committing to attend UTEP denied, Hamilton had to move quickly in finding another school to attend this fall. According to Neal Nieves of Bruin Sports Report, Hamilton was admitted into UCLA Friday and has begun the process of enrolling in classes.

While Hamilton will not be allowed to play this season (and he loses a year of eligibility), he is eligible to join the program and receive an athletic scholarship. This is a highly valuable addition for coach Alford and his staff, and given the questions at point guard Hamilton having to sit out a year could be a blessing in disguise should they entertain the possibility of using him there in 2014-15.

As a senior at St. John Bosco High School in Bellflower, Calif., Hamilton averaged 22.1 points, 5.7 rebounds and 4.5 assists per game on a team that won the CIF Southern Section Class 3A title. There’s no doubt that he’s got the talent needed to make an immediate impact at UCLA. The question is whether or not he’s the best answer for the Bruins at the point in 2014-15, with Bryce Alford and Zach LaVine (and whoever the Bruins could possibly reel in on the recruiting trail, but the pickings are slim at this stage).

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