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UCLA’s T.J. Leaf declares for NBA Draft

By Mark Gunnels

Mar 17, 2017; Sacramento, CA, USA; UCLA Bruins forward TJ Leaf (22) dunks the ball against the Kent State Golden Flashes in the first round of the 2017 NCAA Tournament at Golden 1 Center. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 17, 2017; Sacramento, CA, USA; UCLA Bruins forward TJ Leaf (22) dunks the ball against the Kent State Golden Flashes in the first round of the 2017 NCAA Tournament at Golden 1 Center. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports /
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After a spectacular season at Westwood, freshman power forward T.J. Leaf has decided to forgo his sophomore season and enter his name into the NBA Draft.

Before the season, expectations were at an all-time high for the UCLA Bruins and for good reason. Steve Alford’s ball club had two of the most talented freshman in the country coming in with Lonzo Ball and T.J. Leaf.

Although the Bruins fell short of their ultimate goal of winning a national championship, it would be unfair to call this season a failure by any stretch of the imagination. Just a season ago, UCLA finished below .500 with a dismal record of (15-17) versus a (31-5) record this season to go along with a trip to the Elite Eight, where the Bruins came up short against a very talented Kentucky Wildcats team.

Following that 86-75 defeat at the hands of Kentucky, the highly decorated Ball declared for the NBA Draft inside the Bruins locker room in Memphis. After that announcement, many were wondering what Leaf would end up doing. Depending on which mock draft you look at, Leaf ranges anywhere from a lottery pick to mid-20s.

However, Leaf made his decision public today on Twitter.

"“After much thought and discussion with my family, I have decided to declare for the 2017 NBA draft with the intention to sign with an agent. I want to thank my UCLA family for a great season and for all of their support.”"

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With Leaf standing at 6-foot-10, along with his ability to shoot from distance and rebound, he would surely be a nice piece for a team that’s knocking on the door to competing for a championship.

During his lone season at UCLA, the California native averaged 16.3 points, 8.2 rebounds, and 2.4 assists per game.

Expect to hear more NBA Draft announcements in the coming days.