Lonzo Ball Declares for 2017 NBA Draft After Sweet 16 Loss to Kentucky
Mark J. Terrill/Associated Press
Lonzo Ball didn’t need time to think about his future.
The UCLA guard announced his intention to enter the 2017 NBA draft immediately after the team’s Sweet 16 loss to Kentucky on Friday, per Ben Bolch of the Los Angeles Times.
“That was my final game for UCLA,” he said, per L. Jason Smith of 92.9 FM ESPN Radio. “I appreciate the fans.”
He played just one season for the Bruins but is expected to be a top-five pick in the upcoming draft.
A 6’6″ point guard, Ball posted one of the nation’s best all-around seasons. He averaged 14.7 points, an NCAA-high 7.6 assists and 6.1 rebounds during the regular season, helping lead the Bruins to a No. 3 seed in the NCAA tournament.
His ascent continued on the March stage, as Ball led the squad to the Sweet 16. However, he couldn’t handle fellow prospect De’Aaron Fox and the Wildcats and lost 86-75.
That Ball would be forgoing his final three seasons is perhaps the worst-kept secret in…
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