Jaime Jaquez Jr. is coming back to UCLA. The Bruins' star wing announced Monday that he will return for his senior season. In a video he posted to his Twitter account, Jaquez cited “unfinished business”. UCLA made it to the Final Four as an 11-seed in 2021. In 2022, with high expectations, the Bruins bowed out in the Sweet 16.

Not long after Jaquez posted his announcement, UCLA released a statement from head coach Mick Cronin.

“Jaime has been a tremendous and tenacious player in our program for three years, and we are thrilled that he will come back for his senior season in Westwood,” Cronin said. “Jaime has a chance to go down with so many other great Bruins in UCLA history who have played four seasons in front of the Pauley Pavilion faithful.”

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Jaquez has started 89 of the Bruins last 91 games. He missed a game due to injury in 2021, and in 2020, he came off the bench on senior day. This past season, Jaquez averaged 13.9 points, 5.7 rebounds, and 2.3 assists per game.

With the NBA Draft coming in June, experts projected Jaquez as a mid- to late-second round pick. But the Bruins' second-leading scorer will run it back with a UCLA team who is sure to have national championship aspirations next season. Part of those hopes, however, hinge on the decisions of one of Jaquez's teammates. Johnny Juzang, the Bruins' leading scorer from last year, has yet to make a decision on his draft status. But either way, Jaquez's return puts UCLA firmly in the conversation of PAC-12 contenders.