Kyle Anderson named UCLA’s most valuable player at team banquet

This was a no-brainer.

After leading UCLA to its first Sweet Sixteen since 2008, point guard Kyle Anderson was named the team’s MVP during Monday night’s year-end banquet at the Beverly Hilton. After averaging 14.6 points, 8.8 rebounds and 6.5 assists — leading the Bruins in the latter two — the third-team AP All-American is headed to the NBA along with former teammates Jordan Adams and Zach LaVine.

Adams, who led UCLA with 17.4 points per game, won the J.D. Morgan Memorial Award for outstanding “team” player. The program’s single-season steals leader (95) abruptly declared for the NBA draft a day more than a week after originally announcing his intention to stay for his junior year.

LaVine and fellow freshman Bryce Alford shared the Seymour Armond Memorial Award for most valuable freshmen.

Norman Powell, who will be the team’s only returning starter, won the Bruin Bench Award for most improved and the Irv Pohlmeyer Memorial Trophy for top defensive player. He shared the former with sophomore center Tony Parker, and the latter with senior forward David Wear.

Walk-on guard Aubrey Williams won the UCLA Faculty Athletic Representative Award for academic achievement and team contribution.