LOS ANGELES (AP) — UCLA’s Jaime Jáquez Jr. has declared his intention to enter the NBA draft.
The senior player thus refrained from postponing his eligibility for a year, a possibility opened up by the pandemic.
Jáquez announced his decision on his social networks on Thursday.
“I have fulfilled my dream of playing basketball for UCLA and graduating from here,” he posted. “To all UCLA fans, thank you so much for allowing me to be a part of your life for four years. Please know that I gave everything I had. My four years at UCLA have been amazing, and I will always be proud to be a Bruin. But I’m also excited about my future, my NBA dreams and my continued growth in basketball.”
Jaquez averaged 17.8 points and 8.2 rebounds in 37 games to help the Bruins go to 31-6 this season. UCLA fell to Gonzaga in the Sweet 16 round of the NCAA tournament, after winning the first Pac-12 conference title since 2013.
The point guard and forward of Mexican grandparents, born in the Californian town of Camarillo, was selected as a member of the second ideal team (All-America) in his fourth year.
He finished eighth on UCLA’s all-time list with 1,802 points and eleventh in rebounds with 842. He is eighth in career steals with 178 and ninth in games played with 134.
“We have built our program around this competitive spirit and strength of four years,” head coach Mick Cronin said in a statement. “His dedication, loyalty and tenacity from him are unparalleled, and we can’t wait to see him play in the NBA.”
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