UCLA began classes today and Ben Howland is excited at the progress that Josh Shipp has made on the one-year anniversary of his surgery.

The Bruins began individual workouts a couple weeks ago and Howland said that it's the first time that Shipp, who missed nearly all of last season, has appeared 100 percent in a while.

``He's done a real good job with his rehab," Howland said. ``He's 220 pounds, but is still bouncy athletic."

``We really missed him last year," added Howland. "I'm just glad he seems to be back at full strength."

While Shipp's return will be pivotal to the Bruins making another Final Four run this season, he won't be the most important player on the team.

That distinction belongs to sophomore point guard Darren Collison.

With Jordan Farmar's departure to the NBA, Collison is not only the starter - but the lone true floor leader on the team.

``It's amazing how quick he is," Howland said of Collison. "He might be the best on-ball defender I've coached in my 25 years."

The options at the backup point guard spot are freshman Russell Westbrook, Aaron Afflalo and walk-on Mustafa Abdul-Hamid.

``I think at the end of the day, Westbrook will be the guy for the long haul," Howland added,

Last chance?

Keith Brumbaugh is running out of chances.

The Florida native, who was considered one of the top players in the country a couple years ago, wasn't admitted academically into Oklahoma State last year (his test score was flagged by the NCAA). He spent the summer taking classes at Chipola Junior College, but was kicked off the team last week.  

``I've had some pretty good ones - Je'Kel Foster and Mario Boggan - and Keith is heads and shoulders better than all of them," Chipola coach Greg Heiar said. "He's an unbelievable talent. It's unfortunate, but he's got to get his personal life together. He's not a bad kid; he just doesn't trust anyone."

According to sources, the 6-foot-9 Brumbaugh doesn't like school - and also has had problems with marijuana in the past.

``I liked him," Heiar added. "You love him on the court because of his energy level. He's got the most competitive fire of anyone in the gym. He dives for loose balls and hates to lose."

Camps cancelled?

According to one source, Nike is definitely done with its July shoe camp while it appears as though adidas is also close to pulling the plug on its camp.

The source said that Nike's plan is to expand upon its skills academy, which it holds in Oregon. It won't necessarily take place in the live period and the goal it to bring in a decent number of players at the same position for a week - for example 20 wings and bring in an NBA star such as Kobe Bryant and other qualified coaches.

The sneaker companies aren't getting as much bang for their buck out of the camps. This would not only cut down on the expenses, but could help the development of high school kids. Not only will they receive better coaching, but it might change the landscape to whereas camps aren't fighting to get kids each year.

If this happens, there's a chance that some of the so-called "mid-major" camps, such as Eastern, could attract more of the high-profile players in early July.