Bruin digest

Jim Saia, a former UCLA men’s basketball
assistant coach, has joined Henry Bibby’s
USC coaching staff, according to the Los Angeles Daily News. The
39-year-old Saia was a member of Steve
Lavin’s staff ““ with whom he played high
school and college ball ““ until Lavin was fired in March
2003. His UCLA contract, which paid $116,000 a year, expired in
June. For Bibby, Saia will handle academic and recruiting matters
but will not be considered a full-fledged assistant. He began
working at USC this week.

TODAY’S THE DAY: Malik Hairston plans to
select which college he will attend today, RivalHoops.com has
learned. “(Thursday) is the day,” said Richard
Hairston, Malik’s father. “We plan to sit down
as a family to talk about Malik’s decision. (Amateur Athletic
Union coach) Speedy Walker will also be joining us
for the meeting. We want to make sure that the best decision is
made, which is why we have decided to wait an extra day.” It
had been rumored that Hairston, who many recruiting services had
ranked in the top 10 in the country, is leaning toward UCLA, which
has an extra scholarship after Trevor
Ariza‘s early departure for the NBA Draft. Hairston
also is rumored to be considering Kansas, Ohio State, Oregon and
Oklahoma.

A TROJAN GONE: USC’s top recruit, center
Robert Swift, has declared for the NBA Draft,
according to the Los Angeles Times. The 7-foot McDonald’s
All-American will not hire an agent, maintaining his amateur status
in case he changes his mind and decides to attend USC.

Compiled by Ben Peters, Bruin Sports senior staff.