UCLA's Reeves Nelson missed practice Wednesday after hurting his left ankle a day earlier, leaving him day-to-day heading into the 17th-ranked Bruins' season opener Friday.
A team spokesman said an X-ray of Nelson's ankle was negative. Coach Ben Howland said the nature of Nelson's injury wasn't immediately clear. The junior forward left about two-thirds of the way through practice Tuesday, complaining that his foot was bothering him.
Howland said Nelson didn't sprain his ankle, but added that ''it could be serious.''
Nelson was the Pac-12's leading rebounder and the Bruins' fourth-leading scorer last season. He appears on Sports Illustrated's regional basketball cover this week.
''I'm more worried about his ankle than his cover shot,'' Howland said. ''I hope it's going to be OK.''
The Bruins open the season against Loyola Marymount at the Los Angeles Sports Arena, their temporary home this season while Pauley Pavilion undergoes major renovation.
Howland said walk-on guard Kenny Jones was given a scholarship for his junior year despite not playing in any games last season.
''He's the best player of the walk-ons and most likely to get minutes,'' the coach said.
The Bruins signed forward Jordan Adams of Lawrenceville, Ga., and swingman Kyle Anderson of New Jersey to national letters of intent Wednesday, the first day of the national signing period.
Adams attends Oak Hill Academy in Virginia and at 230 pounds can shoot and drive to the basket with finesse.
''He's very skilled,'' Howland said. ''Big body, he can play the two and the three. He's a very good passer. Great kid and he's a winner.''
Anderson, who attends St. Anthony High in New Jersey, is expected to play point guard at UCLA.
''He's got unbelievable skills for a guy his size with the ball,'' Howland said. ''He's shooting the ball really well, he can score, he can pass, he can rebound it. Kids are excited to play with him because they know they're going to get the ball. He can go through a whole game and take two shots and be happy as long as his team wins.''
Howland said it's possible the Bruins will add another player during the fall signing period, which runs through Nov. 16, and that he expects to sign four players in the 2012 class.
