The smile that was ever-present when Griffin visited the Los Angeles Athletic Club for the presentation of the 2009 John R. Wooden Award was again present as he spoke to the Clippers home crowd before the game on Wednesday night.  The smile was soon replaced by a look of determination as Griffin took the floor for his first regular season NBA game.  His performance earned him accolades from a wide spectrum of viewers. The following articles are a sample of the reaction to his introduction to the NBA and the NBA’s introduction to him.

“The great UCLA basketball coach and sports philosopher died in June, but that won’t stop his admirers from celebrating his birthday today” – Daily News

http://www.dailybreeze.com/sports/ci_16334248

Four-time National Coach of the Year Posts One of Nation’s Top Division I Graduation Rates

LOS ANGELES (October 13, 2010) – Michigan State University Head Basketball Coach Tom Izzo will be awarded the John R. Wooden Award’s “Legends of Coaching” honor in 2011, Los Angeles Athletic Club President Steve Hathaway announced today.

All-Americans Return in Stanford’s Ogwumike and three-time pick Moore of U. Conn

Los Angeles (October 5, 2010)— The Los Angeles Athletic Club has announced its Women’s Preseason Top 30 list; the men’s list was released yesterday. The women’s list is comprised of 30 student-athletes who, based on last year’s individual performance and team records, are the early frontrunners for college basketball’s most prestigious honor.

Los Angeles (October 4, 2010)— The John R. Wooden Award Preseason Top 50 list was announced today by The Los Angeles Athletic Club.  The list is comprised of 50 student-athletes who, based on last year’s individual performance and team records, are the early frontrunners for college basketball’s most prestigious honor. The Women’s Preseason list will be released later this week.

October 16, 2010

The college basketball season is approaching! Tip-off the season with Southern California’s premier Division I head basketball coaches as they discuss their upcoming season.

2007 John R. Wooden Award Winner Kevin Durant is Hero for USA Basketball Three other ’08 John R. Wooden All Americans also on dominating USA squad.

Event to Honor an Amazing Legacy in the Southern California Sports Community

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Monday, July 26, 2010

LOS ANGELES — Richard “Duke” Llewellyn, the chairman and founder of the John R. Wooden Award who passed away last month in Los Angeles at the age of 93, will be honored with a memorial service this Thursday, July 29, at the Los Angeles Athletic Club. Llewellyn was a fixture on the Southern California sports scene for more than 70 years, first as an athlete at USC, then as a U.S. military boxing champion, coach and event director, and most recently in his role guiding the John R. Wooden Award to its status as the nation’s top college basketball honor.

John Wooden Memorial Service
Saturday, June 26, 2010

11:00 am – 1:00 pm, Pauley Pavilion – Arena
Celebrating the life of the UCLA icon

Worked for the LAAC for 54 Years; Leaves an Amazing Legacy in the Southern California Sports Community

LOS ANGELES—Richard “Duke” Llewellyn, the chairman and co-founder of the John R. Wooden Award, passed away early this morning at Hollenbeck Rehabilitation Center in Los Angeles at the age of 93. Llewellyn was a fixture on the Southern California sports scene for more than 70 years, first as an athlete at USC, then as a U.S. military boxing champion, coach and event director, and most recently in his role guiding the John R. Wooden Award to its status as the nation’s top college basketball honor.