Immediately following UCLA’s Sweet 16 loss to Kentucky Friday night, Lonzo Ball announced he would declare for the 2017 NBA draft.
“That was my final game at UCLA,” he said. “I appreciate all the fans.”
LaVar Ball, Lonzo’s father, maintained before the season even began that his oldest son would only play one season at UCLA. The alacrity with which the Bruins All-America point guard declared his decision was probably an indication Lonzo knew all along.
“I have so many memories, I can’t tell you all,” Ball said. “Started in Australia and at the end of the day, this is a family. We’ll be together for life and I’ve built relationships for life.”
Ball averaged 14.1 points, 6.1 rebounds and a nation-leading 7.6 assists during his freshman season, the only player in college basketball to achieve such numbers.
Steve Alford seemed well aware of the arrangement from the beginning, speaking throughout the season as if Ball would leave for the NBA after one season.
“Look, I assumed,” Alford said. “I probably don’t like to assume anything, but he’s pretty good…I played in the era where nobody left school. It’s a different era. Guys can make a very good living sooner than what it was two decades ago, three decades ago. We’ve had our share of some very good one-and-dones.”
No other UCLA players shed light on their intentions regarding the NBA after Friday’s loss. Freshman TJ Leaf is the most likely to leave given his opportunity to be a lottery pick. Freshman Ike Anigbogu, junior Thomas Welsh and sophomore Aaron Holiday each seem to have NBA potential that could be immediately realized should they choose to take their chances and leave.