The challenge of playing in the NBA trumped the challenge of trying to lead UCLA to a 12th NCAA championship for Bruins guard Arron Afflalo.
The 6-foot-5, 215-pound junior All-American, the Pacific 10 Conference player of the year, announced at a Tuesday afternoon news conference that he would make himself available for the NBA draft and thus would not play his final season for the Bruins.
Afflalo, a graduate of Compton Centennial High who helped lead UCLA to consecutive appearances in the Final Four, had explored turning pro last season but chose to return to UCLA and try to bring the school its first national basketball title since 1995.
Instead, the Bruins were beaten by eventual champion Florida in the semifinals, 76-66. Florida also defeated UCLA in the championship game in 2006.
Afflalo had until April 29 to decide but said Tuesday, "It's time for me to move on, do some different things. I hope everybody understands this is a well-thought-out decision."
Though Afflalo said he had shed tears, his voice was unwavering.
UCLA Coach Ben Howland said that Afflalo was making the correct choice. Howland also said he recommended that Afflalo, who is 10 credits short of graduation, withdraw from class this quarter so that he could fully concentrate on getting ready for the draft June 28.
"I pretty much called this press conference alongside Coach not to give reasons but to give thanks," Afflalo said. "It's been a wonderful three years here. I've learned a lot, matured physically and mentally more than I can imagine."
Afflalo led the Bruins in scoring this season, averaging 16.9 points.
For his career, Afflalo averaged 14.8 points and ranked 17th on the Bruins' all-time list. He ranks second in three-point baskets with 209. He also has been Howland's top defender for three seasons.
Along with Josh Shipp and Jordan Farmar, who left UCLA after his sophomore season and was drafted in the first round by the Lakers last spring, Afflalo was a key member of Howland's first recruiting class.
NBA draft-projection websites have Afflalo listed anywhere from a late first-round to mid-second-round pick, but Howland said he was certain Afflalo would be a first-round selection.
"I've done a lot of research over the last week, talked to NBA GMs and there's a lot of people very excited about Arron," Howland said. "He will have a long and fruitful career."
