Prince Ali commits to UCLA

[url TARGET="_blank" HREF="http://espn.go.com/mens-college-basketball/team/_/id/26/ucla-bruins" ]UCLA[/url] has secured a commitment from [url TARGET="_blank" HREF="http://espn.go.com/college-sports/basketball/recruiting/player/_/id/175897/prince-ali" ]Prince Ali[/url] (The Sagemont School; Pembroke Pines, Florida), one of the best playmakers in the Class of 2015.[br /][br /]The 6-foot-4, 180-pound wing is a versatile scorer and defender who can excel on the break and at both guard positions. Ali is an attacking guard that competes on both ends of the floor.[br /][br /]"Perfect fit both offensively and defensively. They will give me the chance to cover the opposing team's best player," said Ali, the No. 44 overall player in the [url TARGET="_blank" HREF="http://espn.go.com/college-sports/basketball/recruiting/playerrankings/_/view/espnu100/sort/rank/class/2015" ]ESPN 100[/url]. "I am competitive and look forward to that challenge.[br /][br /]"I like Coach [Steve] Alford because he is an up-front guy, he tells me what I do well and what I need to do better. He didn't sugarcoat anything in the process."[br /][br /]Ali selected the Bruins over Louisville, Michigan, Georgia Tech, Maryland and Nebraska after decommitting from Connecticut in May.[br /][br /]Ali played extremely well this spring and summer, which allowed the high-major floodgates to open after his change of heart with UConn.[br /][br /]"I am setting up my official visit tonight," Ali said.[br /][br /]The future of the Bruins' backcourt, meanwhile, looks very promising.[br /][br /]Ali joins point guard [url TARGET="_blank" HREF="http://espn.go.com/college-sports/basketball/recruiting/player/_/id/142898/aaron-holiday" ]Aaron Holiday[/url], a fellow ESPN 100 selection. In addition, Alford already has Class of 2016 point guard [url TARGET="_blank" HREF="http://espn.go.com/college-sports/basketball/recruiting/player/_/id/171485/lonzo-ball" ]Lonzo Ball[/url] (No. 15 in the ESPN 60) in the fold and on Friday offered point guard [url TARGET="_blank" HREF="http://espn.go.com/college-sports/basketball/recruiting/player/_/id/169307/derryck-thornton" ]Derryck Thornton[/url] (No. 32 in the ESPN 60), who is coming off a tremendous spring and summer performance.[br /][br /]"I am thrilled about the choice of Prince Ali to UCLA because it's a great match between style of play and coach personality," said Aaron Ross, Ali's coach at The Sagemont School. "UCLA plays a fast pace on offense, they spread the floor and allow their guards to attack with plenty of pick and roll action.[br /][br /]"Coach Alford has been around our program for a few years and a former successful guard himself, Prince and he hit it off."[br /][br /][i]ESPN RecruitingNation national recruiting director [/i]Paul Biancardi contributed to this report.[/i][br /][br /]