Junior point guard Aaron Holiday is a projected first-round pick after leading the Pac-12 in scoring last season.
A year after three freshmen dominated UCLA’s draft board, Thursday will be a chance for the upperclassmen to shine as junior Aaron Holiday and seniors Thomas Welsh and G. Goloman hope to move to the next level.
Holiday is the headliner of UCLA’s potential NBA draft class as the senior big men are more likely destined to get outside chances as free agents. Holiday, coming off a breakout junior season, is expected join older brothers Justin and Jrue in the NBA and could become UCLA’s eighth first-round draft pick since 2013.
Here’s a closer look at the UCLA prospects in the NBA draft:
Position: Point guard
Year: Junior
Size: 6-1,185 lbs.
Stats: 20.3 ppg, 5.8 apg, 3.7 prg
High school: Campbell Hall
Projection: Mid-to-late first round
Strengths: Can make an impact on offense and defense as he led the Pac-12 in scoring last year and was named to the conference’s All-Defensive Team.… Adds instant scoring with an accurate long-range shot and ability to get to the rim.… Overcomes short stature with 6-foot-7 wingspan.
Weaknesses: Was the second-shortest player invited to the NBA combine, measuring under 6-feet tall without shoes on.… Can be careless with the ball as he ranked just 11th in the Pac-12 in assist-to-turnover ratio while ranking second in assists.
What they’re saying: “He has a way about him — he won’t give up. He’ll figure out a way to make it. I feel like a team in the NBA will appreciate that he’ll play whatever role and take it on and embrace it and do whatever the team needs.” — UCLA assistant coach Tyus Edney
Position: Center
Year: Senior
Size: 7-0,255 lbs.
Stats: 12.6 ppg, 10.8 rpg
Possible round: Late second or free agent
Strengths: A legitimate 7-footer with improving shooting range as he shot 40.2 percent (45-for-112) from 3-point range as a senior after attempting only one 3-pointer during the first three years of his UCLA career.… Machine-like consistency from mid-range and on free throws.
Weaknesses: Lacks lateral foot speed, which hinders him on defense.… A plodding center whose physical skills don’t easily translate to today’s NBA that values athleticism and speed.
What they’re saying: “There wasn’t a practice that I had when he didn’t shake my hand afterwards and say, ‘Thank you, Coach.’ That’s just who he is as a person.… He’s big. He can shoot the ball with range. He understands how to play, terrific teammate.” — UCLA head coach Steve Alford
Position: Forward
Year: Senior
Size: 6-11,225 lbs.
Stats: 7.1 ppg, 4.2 rpg, 54.8% FG
High school: The Sagemont School (Fla.)
Possible round: Free agent
Strengths: The athletic stretch-four emerged late in his UCLA career with a standout game against Arizona on Feb. 8 when he sank a career-high three 3-pointers with 16 points to outshine projected No. 1 pick DeAndre Ayton.… Strong defensive presence in the paint as he led the Bruins in blocks with 42.
Weaknesses: Never consistently made an impact at UCLA, despite late flashes of potential.… Played a career-high 24.4 minutes per game last year but still averaged just 7.1 points per game.
What they’re saying: “If he is a late bloomer and because of his size and his skills, he’ll get an opportunity. There’s more opportunity for a player of his size and the skill set that he has than for a 6-foot guard.” — Pac-12 Networks analyst Steve Lavin
