College Basketball: California, Here I Come

"I have always been captivated by California," sighed Lew Alcindor—and instantly broke the heart of every college basketball coach east of Los Angeles. The most sought-after high school player in the U.S. (TIME, Jan. 22), Alcindor, 18, stands 7 ft. 1 in. and weighs 235 Ibs.; over the course of three seasons at Manhattan's Power Memorial Academy, he scored 2,067 points and pulled down 2,002 rebounds. He had scholarship offers from some 60 colleges, and when he made his choice last week, newsmen crammed the Power gym to hear the announcement. "I have chosen U.C.L.A.," intoned Alcindor. "It has...

Want the full story?

Subscribe Now

Subscribe
Subscribe

Learn more about the benefits of being a TIME subscriber

If you are already a subscriber sign up — registration is free!