BYU basketball: Transfer Matt Carlino joins Cougars

PROVO — He might not officially suit up for another year, but freshman transfer guard Matt Carlino is already helping the BYU Cougars become a better basketball team.

Carlino, who transferred from UCLA earlier this month and committed to BYU last week, practiced with the Cougars for the first time on Monday after officially being accepted as a student at the university.

"This will be great for this team to have Matt practicing against them every day . . . I really like the attitude that he has and the aggressive nature that he has," BYU coach Dave Rose said.

Carlino also moved into student housing in Provo on Monday and will begin attending classes at BYU this coming semester. Until he's under scholarship next season he'll be paying his own tuition.

"He was really excited to get here and get started," said Rose, who was finally able to comment on his latest recruit once he began practicing.

However, the highly-touted 6-foot-2 175-pound point guard who prepped in Arizona and Indiana before enrolling at UCLA after graduating from high school after his junior year, won't be eligible to play for the Cougars until mid-December next season.

"I'm not going to be able to play in games, but I know I'll be working really hard here," Carlino said after Monday's practice. "Just being able to practice against this team every day and everything here is going to benefit me."

Carlino never saw any action at UCLA because of a concussion that sidelined him for two weeks. Then, after announcing plans to transfer, he spent two weeks on recruiting visits — which included BYU, San Diego, Saint Mary's, Butler and UNLV.

"It just wasn't a good fit. I just thought it was time to go a different direction," Carlino said of his decision to leave the Bruins.

He was directed to BYU by family friend and former Cougar football player Brad Clark. He quickly became comfortable with Rose and the coaching staff, and believes the Cougars' fast-tempo style of play fits his own style. Carlino, who is not LDS but attended a strong LDS high school in Gilbert, Ariz., was also impressed by BYU's success in recent years and national ranking this year.

"It's just really fun to watch BYU play, and to then be able to play with them next year. I'm just looking forward to it," he said.

Knowing the Cougars will need a point guard next season when star Jimmer Fredette leaves also helped Carlino feel at home with BYU.