UCLA coach Ben Howland confirmed the seemingly obvious Saturday when he said that Shabazz Muhammad will enter the NBA Draft after his freshman season.
“I knew going into this deal that this was a one-year deal and it should be,” Howland told Fox Sports after the 6-foot-6 Muhammad went for 18 points, including two key foul shots with 9 seconds remaining, as UCLA upset No. 11 Arizona, 74-69, at Pauley Pavillion.
“He’s a top-five pick. When you have that going for you, it’s absolutely the right thing for him. That was absolutely his last game in Pauley Pavilion. I know that, he knows that, we all know that. We want the season to go as long as possible for him.”
According to the AP, Muhammad and his father said after the game that he hasn’t made a decision about his immediate future.
“It’s still a long season of basketball,” Muhammad said. I’m just going to enjoy this win.
“The fans here are great. I enjoyed myself the whole year. I gained a lot of experience coming here.”
Fans chanted “One more year” at Muhammad, who is projected as the No. 3 pick in the draft behind Nerlens Noel of Kentucky and Ben McLemore of Kansas by DraftExpress.com.
Meantime, fellow freshman Kyle Anderson went for 17 points and 7 rebounds in UCLA’s win.
Asked about his future, the former St. Anthony star told reporters:
“I’m too caught up in the season and what we can do to get better.”
UCLA (22-7, 12-4 Pac-12) is now tied with Oregon atop the conference.
