Murray Opts for UCLA, Harrick Says

Glendora High School’s Tracy Murray, who set state basketball scoring records this season, said he plans to attend UCLA, Bruin Coach Jim Harrick confirmed Sunday night.

“We’re very happy to have him in the UCLA family,” Harrick said.

Murray told the Associated Press Sunday: “Everybody said follow your heart, that you’ll get this feeling and know where you want to go.”

Wednesday is the first day of the spring signing period for National Collegiate Athletic Assn. national letters of intent.

Murray, a 6-foot-8 swingman, set a state career-scoring record of 3,053 points and a state single-season record of 1,505 points in leading the Tartans to the State Division I final. Although Glendora lost the game, Murray set a state tournament one-game record of 64 points.

He averaged 44.3 points, 14 rebounds and four assists in leading Glendora to a 31-3 record.

Murray narrowed his choices to Louisville, Nevada Las Vegas, Villanova and New Mexico, in addition to UCLA. Murray, who told AP he made his decision Sunday morning after visiting the UCLA campus, said: “They’re on the rise. They’re coming back to where they’re supposed to be--on top.

“We know the academics are great and the social life is good, too.”

Murray also liked Harrick’s attitude. “He’s a good coach, a nice guy who cares about his players,” he told AP. “He wants to go all the way, and soon.”

Murray said he expects to be a third forward as a freshman and also expects to see action as a reserve guard.

“I can play all five positions,” he said.

UCLA has already signed Zan Mason of Westchester, Mitchell Butler of Oakwood and Rodney Odom of Kingwood, Tex.