UCLA freshman Kevon Looney to declare for NBA Draft
UCLA freshman Kevon Looney will enter the NBA Draft, the school announced Monday.
Looney averaged 11.6 points and 9.2 rebounds for the Bruins in 2014-15. SI.com's Chris Mannix pegged Looney as the draft's 13th best prospect on his most recent NBA Big Board last month.
"This was a really tough decision for me because there were so many positives both ways," Looney said in a statement. "My time at UCLA has been unbelievable, and I know I'll be a Bruin forever. But playing in the NBA is a dream I've had for so long, and this feels like the right time to pursue that dream and make the transition to the next level."
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Looney, a 6-foot-9 forward from Milwaukee, finished second in the Pac-12 in rebounds and was named second-team all-conference while helping lead UCLA to a 22-14 record and an NCAA Tournament appearance. He averaged 9.7 rebounds a game during the Bruins' three NCAA Tournament games, including a double-double against UAB in the Round of 32.
Looney is UCLA's only likely first-round pick this year after the school had three first-rounders a year ago.
- Alex Putterman
