UCLA Basketball: How New Wing Feels About Losing His Recruiter Ahead Of Bruins Debut

Ilane Fibleuil opted for full candor when it came to unpacking his reaction to UCLA assistant coach Ivo Simovic leaving the Bruins for a position with the Toronto Raptors.

In a remote video conversation with David Woods of CBS Sports, the 6'6" French shooting guard, an international commit for this year's matriculating class, spoke about finding out that the man who recruited him to Pauley Pavilion was departing for Jurassic Park.

"So he actually called me... to tell me about everything, the news and everything, that he will maybe be a part of the Toronto Raptors' coaching staff next season," Fibleuil divulged. "He's the one that recruited me at first, after the World Cup in Spain last year, but... I'm just happy for him. NBA spot, you can't just say no to that so I'm just very happy for him that he can have [an] opportunity to be in the NBA and, that's our dream too."

Fibleuil later affirmed his commitment to the Blue and Gold, with or without Simovic in tow, thanks in part to a strong bond he has forged with the club's other coaches.

"Like I said, coach Ivo started recruiting me at first," Fibleuil noted. "After a couple days, couple weeks, he introduced me to the whole coaching staff. Everyone was... excited for me to maybe play for them next season. So that was a really great first interaction with the whole coaching staff. When I went on my visit six months ago, everyone was so cool, so kind with me. That was a really great moment."

He signed a grant-in-aid agreement to join UCLA in March. Simovic was reportedly instrumental in sealing the deal, and it's not like he didn't have some prestigious competition, as Gonzaga and the NBA G League were both said to be major candidates for Fibleuil's services this coming fall.

Add us as a preferred source on Google