| | Associated Press
LOS ANGELES -- UCLA freshman Jason Kapono, the team's
leading scorer, announced Saturday his plans to enter next month's
NBA draft.
"Playing in the NBA has been a lifelong dream of mine," Kapono
said in a statement. "I feel now is the appropriate time to
explore that option."
|  | | UCLA's Jason Kapono is planning to land in the NBA. |
Although Kapono has decided to enter the draft, he said he is
still considering all options, including returning to the
university for his sophomore year.
The deadline for declaring eligibility for the draft is Sunday,
but Kapono would have until June 21 -- a week before the draft -- to
remove himself from the eligibility list, as long as he doesn't
retain an agent.
"My first year of college and playing for (head coach) Steve
Lavin and the UCLA Bruins has been a great experience," he said.
"That's why I have left open the door to return."
Lavin said if Kapono does decide to return, he and the team
"will welcome him with open arms."
Speculation about Kapono's decision began several weeks, but the
freshman's father, Joe Kapono, said as recently as Friday afternoon
the family was undecided. KFWB-AM reported late Friday that Kapono
had made a decision.
Two other UCLA players, JaRon Rush and Jerome Moiso, have also
said they are leaving school early. That would leave the team with
only point guard Earl Watson and center Dan Gadzuric as returning
starters.
Kapono averaged 16 points for the Bruins last season and was
named co-Pac-10 freshman of the year. He led the Pac-10 from
3-point range shooting 47.4 percent and his 82 3-pointers were
school and Pac-10 freshman records.
Kapono, a 6-foot-7 forward from Lakewood, Calif., starred at
Artesia High School. Former UCLA stars Ed and Charles O'Bannon also
played there.
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