UCLA NBAers Go Back To School

Although it pains me to give props to anything UCLA-related, four locked-out NBA players and former Bruins are heading back to Westwood this offseason to work on their degrees.

Thunder guard Russell Westbrook, Timberwolves forward Kevin Love, Hornets forward Trevor Ariza and Cavaliers guard Baron Davis are hitting the books during the lockout and since they're not under scholarship anymore, tuition and books are coming out of their own wallets.

Yahoo! Sports' Marc Spears recently featured the four Bruins and a few other NBAers who are going back to school.

“Being a regular student is kind of fun,” Ariza said.

Ariza said he is learning more now than as a freshman because he has a “different appreciation” for college. While he is also considering playing in Spain, China or Serbia if the lockout drags into the fall, he is currently focused on his coursework at UCLA.

“I’m really going back for my two sons,” Ariza said. “Eventually they’re going to realize that their dad fulfilled his dreams doing what he wanted to do and still got his degree. For them to see that will be a great example for them to follow.”