Early entry candidate for the 2000 NBA Draft. Played two seasons at UCLA, averaging 11.6 points and 6.9 rebounds per game.

Played in just nine games as a sophomore due to two NCAA suspensions. Returned from the suspensions late in the season and led the visiting Bruins to an overtime upset of No. 1 Stanford, posting a season-high 19 points, three rebounds and one assist in 26 minutes of action. In that game, nailed 7-of-10 shots, including 3-of-5 from behind the arc, and scored eight of UCLA's 14 points in overtime, including the game-winning jumper with three seconds left. In the Bruins' victory over Ball State in the first round of the NCAA Tournament, tallied 14 points and seven rebounds in a season-high 27 minutes. Contributed 14 points (on 6-of-11 shooting), six rebounds, and one assist in UCLA's win over Maryland in the second round.

Following impressive freshman season, was named to the 1999 Pac-10 All-Freshman team and also voted Second Team Basketball Times freshman All-American. Was the Bruins' third-leading scorer at 11.4 points per game and was the team's leading rebounder (7.3 rpg), which was ninth best in the Pac-10. His 7.3 rpg was the second-highest rebounding average ever for a Bruin freshman, behind NBA veteran Don MacLean's 7.5 in 1989. His 11.4 scoring average was sixth-best all-time among UCLA freshmen. In the Bruins' NCAA tournament game vs. Detroit, notched his fifth double-double in nine games, scoring 10 points, grabbing 13 boards, and adding three steals and one block in a career-high tying 36 minutes of play.