WATCH: UCLA center Xavier Booker encouraged by early-season progress
Before the season started, UCLA center Xavier Booker knew there would be an adjustment to a more traditional big man role.
While there have been hiccups along the way, and as head coach Mick Cronin is calling for his team to be better at protecting the rim, Booker has been encouraged by what he still considers “a work in progress.”
In his first year with the Bruins after transferring from Michigan State, he is averaging 10.4 points and tied with Eric Dailey Jr. for the team lead with 5.1 rebounds per game.
“I feel pretty comfortable. I mean, like I said, everything is a work in progress, just getting better every day,” Booker said.
Attention to detail in rebounding
Rebounding is among the areas Cronin wants to see improvement.
It’s not necessarily just the big men, either, but Booker has received feedback.
“I mean, coaches get on everybody about that. Even me, specifically, just rebounding, just continuing to get better at it every day,” Booker said. “Making sure I’m boxing out my man, first, and making sure I’m grabbing the rebounds with two hands. That’s their main thing they tell me, to just keep focus on grabbing everything with two hands. Even when I’m not rebounding, just catching the ball in the post, catching the ball — just anywhere, just catching everything with two hands, and it makes everything easier.”
Watch his full press conference below:
