UCLA forward Reeves Nelson has a little brother who's not so little. Raymond Nelson is 6-foot-5, 230 pounds and just gave a verbal commitment to play tight end for the UCLA football team once he finishes his senior season in high school.
But Raymond might very well have a playful noogie coming his way after he made an interesting comment about Reeves in an interview with the Modesto Bee.
"I fully expect him to go to the pros next year, so he might not even be there when I get there. I know him and I completely believe in his abilities, so maybe I'll go there and fill his spot at UCLA."
Raymond was seemingly expressing his own belief that Nelson, a member of the Pac-10's All-Freshmen Team, is good enough to leave UCLA after his sophomore season to pursue a professional career.
But might the younger brother's comments hint at the expectations Reeves has for himself?
It would be a big blow to the Bruins if Nelson decided to leave early. UCLA sees the 6-foot-8, 235-pounder as one of their main building blocks. Nelson blossomed as he averaged 11.1 points and 5.7 rebounds while emerging as a fan favorite and the team's toughest player.
UCLA will get frontcourt help once twin transfers David Wear and Travis Wear become eligible to play after redshirting the year. And while UCLA currently has only one scholarship to give for next year's recruiting class, Ben Howland appears to be recruiting as if more scholarships could open up with players leaving for the NBA or transferring.
But up until now, it was expected that Nelson would stick around Westwood to help the Bruins rebuild. He even has an infinity symbol tattooed on his left arm.
Raymond Nelson, by the way, also told the Modesto Bee about what UCLA fans should expect to see in terms of his brother's tattoo additions for the coming season.
"Wait until you see Reeves now," Raymond said. "It will surprise everybody because he has a whole sleeve-full now."