Jaylen Hands, No. 31 recruit in Class of 2017, commits to UCLA

UCLAdid its work early with the 2016 class, and the Bruins are doing the same in 2017.

They landed their third commitment in the junior class on Wednesday, as No. 31-ranked prospect Jaylen Hands pledged to UCLA.

"I knew that UCLA is where I wanted to go," Hands told ESPN.com.

Hands, a 6-foot-2 point guard from Foothills Christian (Calif.), is the No. 6-ranked point guard in the 2017 class. Arizona, California and San Diego State were among the other schools involved with Hands, although UCLA made him a priority.

"I felt comfortable with the coaches," Hands said. "I love the campus, and I couldn't pass up the education and lineage of point guards they've sent to the league."

Hands joins fellow ESPN 60 prospect Jalen Hill and three-star wingLiAngelo Ballin coach Steve Alford's 2017 class. Alford has been able to focus on the younger class due to his early efforts with the 2016 class. Five-star point guard Lonzo Ball, ESPN 100 center Ike Anigbogu and three-star small forward Kobe Paras are all committed for next season, and each player was in the fold well before their senior seasons began.

Hands is also UCLA's latest connection to the Compton Magic AAU program, which produced Anigbogu, Paras and Hill.

"It's cool that we have players that go there, but it's mostly a personal decision for all of us," Hands said.

Hands averaged 11.0 points and 5.3 assists on the Adidas circuit in July.