LOS ANGELES_UCLA received a double dose of welcome news Tuesday regarding the NBA draft: Thomas Welsh and Aaron Holiday are withdrawing their names from consideration.
Welsh announced on Twitter that he would return for his senior season; Holiday's mother, Toya, said in a text message to the Los Angeles Times that her son would come back for his junior season.
Welsh's return means the Bruins will not have to replace their entire starting lineup after freshmen Lonzo Ball and TJ Leaf declared for the draft and seniors Bryce Alford and Isaac Hamilton exhausted their eligibility.
"I'm extremely grateful for everyone who helped me through this process," Welsh wrote on Twitter, "and I can't wait to get to work for this upcoming season."
Welsh and Holiday will give UCLA a much-needed veteran presence to complement a six-man freshman class that has been ranked No. 2 in the country. The Bruins remain in the running for guard M.J. Walker, a McDonald's All-American expected to announce his college decision Wednesday.
The 7-foot Welsh started 32 games at center last season, averaging 10.8 points per game while leading the Bruins with averages of 8.7 rebounds and 1.3 blocked shots. His return will also help offset the loss of freshman center Ike Anigbogu, who declared for the draft.
"Thomas has worked hard all spring," UCLA coach Steve Alford said in a statement released by the school. "We supported him testing the NBA waters and are excited to have him returning. ... He simply continues to develop each and every season. Thomas will be one of the top centers in college basketball next year and ... has a great chance to be a first-round pick in next season's draft."
Holiday averaged 12.3 points, 4.4 assists and 2.9 rebounds as Ball's backup at point guard and one of the nation's top sixth men. Holiday will presumably have to battle freshman point guard Jaylen Hands for the starting job next season.
"It goes without saying that we're thrilled to have Aaron back for his junior season," Alford said. "He played a major role in our success last season, and we're going to rely on him in a big way. ... He's a team-first guy and a high-character individual. Aaron's prepared to make even greater strides as a junior."
Welsh and Holiday were not listed on most mock draft boards. Two NBA scouts, speaking on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to discuss college players publicly, recently told The Times that they thought Welsh and Holiday would be smart to return to UCLA next season to boost their draft stock.
Holiday's decision was intriguing, considering the paths of brothers Jrue and Justin. Jrue declared for the draft after a season at UCLA and was a first-round pick of the Philadelphia 76ers before becoming an All-Star. Justin spent four seasons at Washington and went undrafted but eventually landed in the NBA and became a rotation player last season with the New York Knicks.
