UCLA star Johnny Juzang won't be joining the 2021 NBA Draft class. Instead, he'll be returning to the Bruins for another shot at the NCAA title.
Juzang announced the decision on Instagram, noting that while he had an “amazing experience” going through the NBA Draft process, he couldn't help but return to college basketball and “go to war” with UCLA.
“Going through the draft process has been an amazing experience. I was blessed to connect with great people, learn and grow, and get a feel for life at the next level. I want to thank everybody who has helped me in this process including my family, trainers, school, and especially my dad who helped for countless hours!” Juzang wrote on Instagram.
“Westwood, I can't wait to go to war! We've got a team full of warriors and there's nobody I'd rather fight beside. With Coach Cronin and our staff, I'm very excited for this season. Let's do something special!”
Johnny Juzang became the 2021 NCAA Tournament darling when he led the UCLA Bruins to the Final Four before a Jalen Suggs Hail Mary helped Gonzaga beat them at the buzzer. Still, his 22.8 points average in six outings turned heads and made him an intriguing prospect for the NBA Draft.
Unfortunately, his draft stock took a significant deep over the last few weeks following his underwhelming numbers in the combine. Per Hoops Hype, he shot 3-for-10 from the field and also recorded three turnovers during his first scrimmage.
Juzang's lack of athleticism and below average speed on the NBA level have been the main concerns for him heading to the NBA Draft. With that said, his withdrawal should give him a good chance to work on his score and increase his value before jumping to the pros. Before making the decision, Juzang has been pegged as an early to late second-round draft pick.
Follow Us
Subscribe