UCLA Loses Others But These Two Are Staying

UCLA stars Lonzo Ball and T.J. Leaf have decided to leave college to go into the NBA. And both are likely to be drafted quickly next month. Ike Anigbogu, a reserve center, is leaving too and is expected to be drafted in the middle of the first round. But the Bruins haven’t lost all the players who had announced they were departing.

Junior center Thomas Welsh and sophomore guard Aaron Holiday withdrew their names from the NBA list last week. UCLA, which reached the Sweet 16 round in the NCAA Tournament, doesn’t figure to be as strong next season but the Bruins are likely to be competitive. Their recruiting class has been rated No. 5 in the country with at least six players coming in. Welsh, a seven footer, has progressed nicely through his first two Bruin years and should benefit from the experience he’s had. Holiday also has improved and will often be paired in the backcourt with highly regarded incoming freshman Jaylen Hands from San Diego. UCLA missed out on heralded guard TJ Walker who has chosen Florida State.