Jan. 21, 2007

Two UCLA athletic accomplishments ranked No. 4 and No. 5 among Los Angeles top sports moments for 2006 and Laker star Kobe Bryant's remarkable 81-point game last season was named Southern California's top sports moment of 2006 at the 2nd annual Greatest Moments in Sports Awards, presented by the Los Angeles Sports Council.

The football Bruins' 13-9 win over USC on December 2 was selected the No. 4 moment in Los Angeles Sports for 2006 while the men's basketball team's run to the Final Four last March and April was selected the No. 5 moment.

Bryant's spectacular performance occurred on January 22, 2006, at Staples Center as the Lakers defeated the Toronto Raptors, 122-104. Bryant's 81 points is the most ever by a Laker and the second-highest point total in NBA history behind only Wilt Chamberlin's 100-point game in 1962.

Bryant's achievement was honored at a star-studded awards presentation held tonight (January 21) at The Beverly Hilton and televised live by FSN PRIME TICKET.

In other award presentations, L.A. Clippers forward Elton Brand was selected as "Sportsman of the Year" and center Lisa Leslie of the L.A. Sparks was named "Sportswoman of the Year." Ned Colletti, general manager of the L.A. Dodgers, and Anaheim Ducks General Manager Brian Burke were chosen "Co-Sports Executives of the Year."

During the awards gala the overall Top 10 moments of 2006 were announced in ranked order. They are:

1. Kobe Bryant scores 81 points (January 22): Bryant produced the second-highest single-game point total in NBA history in leading the Lakers to a win over Toronto.

2. USC-Texas Rose Bowl classic (January 4): In one of the greatest games ever in college football history, Texas quarterback Vince Young scored with 19 seconds remaining to lift the Longhorns to a 41-38 win and the national championship.

3. Dodgers hit 4 consecutive homers (September 19): The Dodgers blasted back-to-back-to-back-to-back solo home runs in the bottom of the 9th inning to tie the score against San Diego, then won, 11-10, on Nomar Garciaparra's two-run shot in the 10th.

4. UCLA stops USC, 13-9 (December 2): The Bruins stunned their cross-town rivals in football to snap a seven-game series losing streak and knock the Trojans out of national championship contention.

5. UCLA reaches Final Four (April 3): The Bruins capped an incredible March Madness run by reaching the Final Four and Championship game for the first time in 11 years.

6. Clippers win first playoff series (May 1): The Clippers defeated Denver, 4 games to 1, to earn their first playoff series win since 1978.

7. Jered Weaver wins 9 straight to begin career (August 18): The Angels pitcher went 9-0 to start his major league career, tying Whitey Ford's rookie mark set in 1950.

8. Ducks set NHL record for best start (November 9): Anaheim established a new NHL record by recording at least one standings point in each of their first 16 games, going 12-0-4.

9. Lisa Leslie scores 5,000th career point (June 24): Leslie became the first WNBA player to total 5,000 career points.

10. Tiger Woods wins 6 straight PGA events (July 23-October 1): The native Southern Californian won six consecutive PGA Tour events and eight overall, retaining his No. 1 world ranking.

In other award presentations, L.A. Clippers forward Elton Brand was selected as "Sportsman of the Year" and center Lisa Leslie of the L.A. Sparks was named "Sportswoman of the Year." Ned Colletti, general manager of the L.A. Dodgers, and Anaheim Ducks General Manager Brian Burke were chosen "Co-Sports Executives of the Year."