Trevor Ariza considered making himself available for the
upcoming NBA Draft as recently as this past week, but the freshman
forward has apparently decided to stay at UCLA for his sophomore
season.
“Over spring break, he contemplated his options,”
UCLA Athletic Department spokesman Bill Bennett said, “but he
will be back next year.”
Speculation about Ariza’s future began after UCLA’s
loss to Oregon in March, when he publicly acknowledged that he was
considering having his NBA prospects evaluated.
As recently as Wednesday night, Fox Sports Net reported that a
source close to Ariza indicated that the freshman would make
himself available for the draft this week. UCLA denied the
report.
Ariza, the Bruins’ third-leading scorer and second-leading
rebounder this past season, is enrolled in classes for spring
quarter and has participated in the Bruins’ spring workout
schedule with his teammates.
He averaged 11.6 points and 6.5 rebounds per game this past
season, and is UCLA’s only returning starter at the forward
position.
Another Bruin, 6-foot-7-inch swingman Dijon Thompson, announced
Wednesday that he will make himself eligible for the NBA Draft, but
will not sign with an agent.