Love joined by Westbrook on fast break

UCLA star freshman center Kevin Love began a defection of Bruins on Thursday when he announced he is making himself available for the NBA draft.

"I'm in the right spot to take my game to the next level," Love said in a news conference at UCLA.

The Pacific 10 Conference player of the year and first-team All-American called his time at UCLA the best year of his life. "It has truly been special," he said.

An hour after Love's announcement, sophomore guard Russell Westbrook also declared himself available for the June 26 draft.

Like Love, Westbrook left himself some wiggle room to return by declining to retain an agent. After a pre-draft camp in Orlando, Fla., in late May and individual workouts, players can opt to withdraw their draft eligibility by June 16.

"It's all based on where I'm getting projected," Westbrook said. "If I'm top 20, I might not be coming back. But if the number goes [higher], I may come back to school."

Love said he will continue taking classes at UCLA. He said he consulted John Wooden in making his decision, and added that he wants to take after UCLA greats Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Bill Walton and Jackie Robinson, and leave a legacy on the court and off.

Love's departure -- announced a week after the Southland's other freshman phenom, USC's O.J. Mayo, announced his NBA intentions -- could be part of a wider exodus from Pauley Pavilion.

Westbrook leaves after averaging 12.7 points, 4.3 assists and 3.9 rebounds a game for the Bruins this season. He said he envisions himself as an NBA point guard, and Coach Ben Howland said he improved more in one season than any player he has ever coached.

"I just have to keep shooting, keep working, get as many shots as possible," Westbrook said.

Junior forward Luc Richard Mbah a Moute delayed a scheduled news conference appearance with Westbrook and is expected to have a final decision on his future by the weekend, a UCLA men's basketball spokesman said.

Forward-center Alfred Aboya, guard-forward Josh Shipp and guard Darren Collison are weighing options. Collison's mother, June, said her son "has 10 more days to make a decision, and, knowing Darren, that's what he'll do: take all 10 days. He's very methodical in his decision making. It doesn't matter who stays or goes. He'll make his own decision."

Howland, who attended Love's news conference with Love's father, Stan, said Kevin never would have gone to UCLA if the NBA hadn't barred players from signing until one year after their high school class graduated.