Peyton Watson announces he’s leaving UCLA after one season, entering NBA draft

After one season wherein he confirmed occasional flashes of his tantalizing upside, Peyton Watson has bid farewell to school basketball.

The UCLA freshman guard introduced on social media Tuesday that he was hiring an agent and forgoing his remaining collegiate eligibility, pushed by his large potential to right away pursue knowledgeable profession.

“I’m excited for the following chapter and I’m prepared to satisfy my lifelong purpose of being an NBA participant,” Watson wrote on Twitter and Instagram whereas saying he would enter the NBA draft.

Most mock draft boards have projected the 6-foot-8 Watson as a second-round decide, however the former Lengthy Seaside Poly Excessive star is taken into account an attractive prospect largely due to his size and athleticism. He may enhance his inventory by impressing groups on the mix or in particular person exercises.

The primary McDonald’s All-American recruited by UCLA coach Mick Cronin to play for the Bruins, Watson averaged 3.3 factors and a pair of.9 rebounds in 12.6 minutes per sport whereas solely coming off the bench. He struggled with capturing, making 32.2% of his photographs and 22.6% of his three-pointers, however carved out a distinct segment as a defensive stopper alongside Jaylen Clark.

Watson’s best second might need come throughout a house victory over Arizona in late January when he recovered to dam a shot by Justin Kier, momentarily hovering over the Wildcats guard who fell to the courtroom whereas the group roared.

However his taking part in time was sporadic. Watson logged 10 or extra minutes in solely two of the Bruins’ ultimate seven video games and simply three minutes within the season-ending loss to North Carolina within the Candy 16 of the NCAA match.

“Perpetually a Bruin,” Watson tweeted alongside an emoji of a blue coronary heart. “Though we didn’t attain all of our targets as a workforce this season, my expertise at UCLA made me a greater particular person and a greater participant. Thanks to the UCLA teaching workers and my teammates for serving to create reminiscences I’ll carry with me for a lifetime. And to the followers who packed out Pauley Pavilion, I recognize your great help.”

Cronin frequently praised Watson’s work ethic, angle and skill to affect video games in methods aside from by scoring. Earlier than practices, Watson was identified to stroll across the fitness center and shake his teammates’ palms as a pleasant gesture.

“We’re very excited for Peyton,” Cronin mentioned in an announcement. “Everyone knows he has great upside as a basketball participant, and we have been lucky to have him in Westwood. Peyton got here to work each day with a terrific angle and a burning want to enhance himself as a participant. Peyton is a superb teammate and a beautiful particular person, and we thank him for selecting UCLA. He’ll at all times be part of the Bruin household. We sit up for watching him and rooting for him as knowledgeable for a few years to return.”

Watson turns into the second Bruin to depart, becoming a member of junior guard Jake Kyman, who transferred to Wyoming. Different gamers with remaining eligibility who haven’t introduced their intentions embody Jaime Jaquez Jr., Tyger Campbell, Johnny Juzang, Jules Bernard, Cody Riley, Myles Johnson and David Singleton.