Afflalo To Stay At UCLA, Officially Withdraws From Draft

By Bruin Basketball Report

UCLA guard Arron Afflalo officially withdrew his name from the upcoming 2006 NBA Draft, and will play his junior year at UCLA.

Afflalo faxed his withdrawal notice to the NBA office today.

The sophomore shooting guard worked out individually for the Lakers, Clippers, Chicago, Cleveland and Indiana.

"Some of the teams thought I was a second-round talent," he said during a conference call. "A few teams did indicate I was a first-round talent. It was never about money. I was looking for the right situation for me."

He said he received mostly positive feedback from the teams, with some wanting him to improve creating off the dribble for himself and others.

Afflalo had said he would return to school if he wasn't assured of being a first-round pick who would receive a guaranteed contract.

"It was very hard for teams to guarantee things," he said. "It definitely wasn't worth jeopardizing the great situation I'm in here."

"What's to be disappointed about? This is a great team," Afflalo said. "I enjoy playing with my teammates. I knew I could make a lot of people happy with this decision."

Especially Howland, who signed Afflalo and Farmar as his first two recruits when he took over in Westwood three seasons ago.

"We're very fortunate to have him back," Howland said. "No doubt in my mind, he will be in the NBA someday. It's just a matter of when, not if."

Afflalo was the Bruin's leading scorer last season averaging 15.8 points per game, and was named to the first-team All-Pac-10 team.

Jordan Farmar, the other half of the Bruins' star backcourt, declared for the draft the same day in April as Afflalo. Neither player signed with an agent, so Farmar is eligible to return, too.

"He's (Farmar) still formulating his decision," coach Ben Howland said.

The deadline for early entrants, who have not sign with an agent, to withdraw their names from the NBA Draft is Sunday, June 18th at 2:00 PM PT.

(BruinBasketballReport.com)

(photo credit: AP)