I love Johnny J (waiting for my 'bobble head' to arrive), but I think this is best for him (and in a strange way, UCLA, too). I'm looking forward to seeing what he can do at the next level (while staying off of scooters!).
Why best for UCLA? The elite of college basketball programs are built on the undeniable fact that elite talents only grace the university court for a year or two. Great university teams have to adjust every year. Johnny, Jaime, Jules, Tyger, and Cody were the starting 5 that re-ignited UCLA as an elite program during the 2021 tourney. In the 2021-2022 season, we had additional talent develop, and the team started and finished the season as a ranked program. This very awesome group of young man were essential in getting UCLA onto
"the path".
But the best must move on, and the program must adjust. It's time for UCLA to fly without its #1 sharp-shooter. This year we get a blend of great experienced players for continuity, and new players do their part in keeping UCLA an elite program. UCLA has to make this jump (I'm highly confident that we will!). . The Bruin future is bright.
While we would all Johnny to stay another year, it's HIS time to reach for the next brass ring.
Johnny, I hope that you have remarkable success in the coming years (I'm counting on you to enhance the value of my Johnny Juzang UCLA bobblehead! :-)) . In a very small way, I just want to say thank you! Thank you for being a key reason that UCLA is once again in the national conversation. Thank you for making UCLA fun to watch again. Thank you for being a great role model for other aspiring Bruins. We're gonna miss you on the UCLA court, but we're planning on seeing regularly on TV!
I think his future potential has been baked in for awhile in the eyes of NBA teams. Regardless of when he starts his pro career, he is going to need 1-2 years in the G league. In hindsight, he probably should have started that clock 12 years ago but someone apparently told him he could improve his draft stock if he came back. He probably has the exact same draft evaluation as he did a year ago and would have the same one 12 months from now. Mid to late second rounder. Same with Jules. His draft stock is not improving from where it is now. But I do not even view him as an NBA player...ever. Would be nice to have him back, but for his sake he should probably go make money in the G and then Europe.
Contrast with Jaime. Jaime actually has something to work on. I think he shot 29% from 3 this year. If he can improve his shot, he might work himself into that mid second round by next spring.
I basically agree with everything Evan says. Jules has little to no chance of playing in the NBA but could possibly make a little money in the G league.
I also think Johnny is going to have an uphill battle to make it in the league due to his lack of athleticism. He’s never going to be an elite defender and might be a liability on that side as well with his slow feet. Offensively I’m not sure if he’s ever going to be a good spot up shooter and will struggle getting his own shot off or get to the rim.
Jaime can at least improve his jumper but is undersized and not an elite athlete.
I’m also curious if we’ll run out of time to pick up a transfer or if Cronin is even working on that. Selfishly I’d love to see Nwuba and Riley open up a couple spots and pick up an athletic big or a defensive wing with some length. Not sure if those types of players would even be available at this point though.
Singleton is returning, but Myles Johnson is not... for the best possible of reasons - to pursue his Electrical Engineering Grad Degree and his entrepreneurial efforts & inspiring others to pursue STEM. More power to you, Myles - we appreciate you and your time as a Bruin and Welcome Back David!
Look forward to seeing him in a rotation in 2-3 years.
Jaquez coming back!
Juzang entered the draft. And also Jules (though Jules is eligible to return)
https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/33773530/johnny-juzang-enter-nba-draft-leading-ucla-scoring
https://www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/story/_/id/33768887/jules-bernard-entering-nba-draft-maintain-eligibility-return-ucla-men-basketball-team
I love Johnny J (waiting for my 'bobble head' to arrive), but I think this is best for him (and in a strange way, UCLA, too). I'm looking forward to seeing what he can do at the next level (while staying off of scooters!).
Why best for UCLA? The elite of college basketball programs are built on the undeniable fact that elite talents only grace the university court for a year or two. Great university teams have to adjust every year. Johnny, Jaime, Jules, Tyger, and Cody were the starting 5 that re-ignited UCLA as an elite program during the 2021 tourney. In the 2021-2022 season, we had additional talent develop, and the team started and finished the season as a ranked program. This very awesome group of young man were essential in getting UCLA onto
"the path".
But the best must move on, and the program must adjust. It's time for UCLA to fly without its #1 sharp-shooter. This year we get a blend of great experienced players for continuity, and new players do their part in keeping UCLA an elite program. UCLA has to make this jump (I'm highly confident that we will!). . The Bruin future is bright.
While we would all Johnny to stay another year, it's HIS time to reach for the next brass ring.
Johnny, I hope that you have remarkable success in the coming years (I'm counting on you to enhance the value of my Johnny Juzang UCLA bobblehead! :-)) . In a very small way, I just want to say thank you! Thank you for being a key reason that UCLA is once again in the national conversation. Thank you for making UCLA fun to watch again. Thank you for being a great role model for other aspiring Bruins. We're gonna miss you on the UCLA court, but we're planning on seeing regularly on TV!
Go Bruins!
I think his future potential has been baked in for awhile in the eyes of NBA teams. Regardless of when he starts his pro career, he is going to need 1-2 years in the G league. In hindsight, he probably should have started that clock 12 years ago but someone apparently told him he could improve his draft stock if he came back. He probably has the exact same draft evaluation as he did a year ago and would have the same one 12 months from now. Mid to late second rounder. Same with Jules. His draft stock is not improving from where it is now. But I do not even view him as an NBA player...ever. Would be nice to have him back, but for his sake he should probably go make money in the G and then Europe.
Contrast with Jaime. Jaime actually has something to work on. I think he shot 29% from 3 this year. If he can improve his shot, he might work himself into that mid second round by next spring.
I basically agree with everything Evan says. Jules has little to no chance of playing in the NBA but could possibly make a little money in the G league.
I also think Johnny is going to have an uphill battle to make it in the league due to his lack of athleticism. He’s never going to be an elite defender and might be a liability on that side as well with his slow feet. Offensively I’m not sure if he’s ever going to be a good spot up shooter and will struggle getting his own shot off or get to the rim.
Jaime can at least improve his jumper but is undersized and not an elite athlete.
I’m also curious if we’ll run out of time to pick up a transfer or if Cronin is even working on that. Selfishly I’d love to see Nwuba and Riley open up a couple spots and pick up an athletic big or a defensive wing with some length. Not sure if those types of players would even be available at this point though.
Singleton is returning, but Myles Johnson is not... for the best possible of reasons - to pursue his Electrical Engineering Grad Degree and his entrepreneurial efforts & inspiring others to pursue STEM. More power to you, Myles - we appreciate you and your time as a Bruin and Welcome Back David!