Anthony Stover is going to UCLA for playing time.

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UCLA snatched away another Arizona Wildcats recruiting target Friday, getting a commitment from 2009 center Anthony Stover.

Stover's father, Craig, said Anthony chose the Bruins in part because of proximity and playing time.

A 6-foot-9-inch, 210-pound center from Renaissance Academy in La Cañada, Calif., Stover also considered Creighton and Arizona State.

"We went in what we call our 'war room' (Thursday) night and went over all the particulars — education, degrees and everything — and we concluded UCLA was a little bit better choice," Craig Stover said. "Anthony really liked Arizona, but as a family, we'd like to be closer to home."

Craig Stover said the leave of absence and subsequent staff change of UA coach Lute Olson last season had no effect on his son's decision, adding that the new UA assistant coaches did a great job in recruiting his son.

"Lute Olson is a legend — he's the reason we considered Arizona," Craig Stover said. "It was just like, if it's apples to apples, there's no place like home. Having your family around really makes a big difference."

Although Stover is ranked No. 134 in the class of 2009 by Rivals.com, and has just 210 pounds on his long frame, he would have been the only true post player in Arizona's 2009 recruiting class.

The Wildcats are still pursuing big men Andy Brown of Mater Dei High School in Santa Ana, Calif., and Angus Brandt, an Australian playing for Lake Forest (Ill.) Academy, for their 2009 recruiting class.

Brown is visiting Arizona this weekend, according to Rivals.com. An unranked, 6-8, 210-pound forward, Brown also is considering Stanford. Brandt, ranked No. 146 by Rivals.com, is 6-10 and 210 pounds.

All four of UCLA's 2009 commitments also were recruited by Arizona: Stover, and forwards Reeves Nelson, Tyler Honeycutt and Brendan Lane. However, the Wildcats wrestled highly regarded guard Abdul Gaddy away from the Bruins last month.

Arizona has three commitments so far in the class of 2009: Gaddy, and forwards Solomon Hill and Mike Moser. The Cats have 13 players on the tentative 2009-10 roster but are likely to have at least two openings by next spring, and therefore are seeking at least one additional player.

● The UA's basketball/practice facility is facing another potential holdup in the school's attempt to get it open by the start of full-length basketball practices on Oct. 17.

A one-story elevator has yet to be installed, creating potential disability and injury access issues, according to UA capital projects director Steve Kozachik.

"I'm fairly certain we'll be able to open on time, but I want this to be a finished product," Kozachik said.