Sports are in full swing all year long – from the prep level to the professional ranks. Each Monday, Daily Bruin Sports will highlight a few moments from former UCLA greats over the past week.
Women’s soccer: Mia Fishel, Tigres UANL
Mia Fishel has decided to take her talents away from the MLS.
After Orlando Pride coach Amanda Cromwell – who coached UCLA from 2013 to 2021 – selected Fishel in the 2022 NWSL Draft, it appeared to be a reunion for the former Bruins.
Fishel had other plans, however, as she has decided to join the Mexican club Tigres UANL. The Pride will retain Fishel’s rights, but for the time being, the former All-American will begin her professional career in Mexico.
During her three years in Westwood, the three-time All-Pac-12 honoree scored 32 goals, with 16 coming in game-winning fashion. On top of her recent signing, Fishel also received an invite to the U-23 United States Women’s National Team training camp.
Men’s soccer: Ahmed Longmire, Nashville SC; Ben Reveno, New England Revolution; Justin Garces, Atlanta United FC
The Bruins will have a trio of players join the professional ranks.
UCLA had two defenders selected in the 2022 MLS SuperDraft, with Ahmed Longmire going 10th overall and Ben Reveno taken 52nd overall.
Longmire was taken by the Nashville SC, who traded up to select the former Utah Valley transfer. The 2020-2021 All-Pac-12 Second Team member started every game in his inaugural season in Westwood but only saw action in eight games this past season because of injury.
Reveno also came to UCLA as a transfer from UC Irvine prior to the 2019 season. Over his three years with the Bruins, he ranked top five in minutes played in each season and played a pivotal role in the backfield his final year, closing the campaign with 15 straight games playing the full 90 minutes.
The final former Bruin turning pro is goalkeeper Justin Garces, who inked a homegrown player deal with Atlanta United. Across his four years with the blue and gold, he tallied 12 shutouts and 161 saves in 57 games, which accumulated to an All-Pac-12 Second Team selection his final year.
Men’s Basketball: Russell Westbrook, Los Angeles Lakers
A former Bruin’s return to Los Angeles has combined a personal statistical decline with a losing start to the season.
Russell Westbrook was traded by the Washington Wizards to the Los Angeles Lakers over the summer, forming a big three on paper with LeBron James and Anthony Davis.
Through the first 43 games, Westbrook has put up averages of 18.7 points, eight assists and 4.3 turnovers per contest, but the 2020 champions have just a 21-22 record to start the year.
His seasonal stats are below his career averages of 23 points and 8.5 assists per game, and his 4.3 turnovers per contest are above his career average of 4.1.
Many remember Westbrook from his time in Westwood when he led UCLA to the Final Four in 2008, was named to the All-Pac-10 Third Team and won the Pac-10 Defensive Player of the Year award the same year.
