Early departures to the NBA

The Times' Diane Pucin has an exclusive that reports both Kevin Love and Darren Collison told UCLA Coach Ben Howland on Monday that they are turning pro. The official announcement isn't expected until after Howland's final news conference of the season Wednesday afternoon. From the article in Wednesday's Los Angeles Times:

NBA team officials risk seven-figure fines for speaking publicly about college players, but an East team scout said Love had raised his draft position steadily during the Pac-10 season — from a possible low first-round pick to a lottery pick. And even being held to 12 points and nine rebounds in a 78-63 UCLA loss to Memphis last Saturday in an NCAA semifinal didn't change that.

There's no official word on Russell Westrook, but, according to to the article, his family "has indicated that he would probably leave school if expectations were that he would go early."

ESPN Insider is predicting Westbrook and Love as lottery picks and Collison as lottery to mid-first round.

According to NBADraft.net, a widely cited draft projection that was last updated Monday before the national championship game, here's where UCLA's top players may land:

• 9 — Chicago: Russell Westrook
• 13 — Portland: Kevin Love
• 20 — Denver: Darren Collison

Anything is possible, thanks to the lottery system, and NBADraft.net does not take team needs into account until the NBA season is over. It claims to be unique because it is the only website providing year-round projections of both the first- and second-round rounds, and they do it for the upcoming and next year's drafts.

Posted by: Adam Rose

Comments

[Paul]

Are these the same "sources" that said Diddy was in on the Tupac slaying and Favre is returning to the Packers? Just wondering...

[Bruin]

which genius at the Trojan Times decided to give the UCLA blog to a trOJan. I guess the same guys who have gotten everything wrong for years.

Thanks for confirming my decision to cancel your subscription. Can you even try to be more insulting to the most important school in the region if you tried.

[silverlake bruin]

You guys got that one wrong too. According to Kevin's mom, in a story just posted on the daily news blog, no decision has been made.

Great scoop. Where'd you hear it from, heritage hall?

[True Blue]

Where is the breaking news Bruin specific insight. Your competition has already responded with first hand information denying the reporting of the LA Times.

It is very difficult to cover both Universities to the level and objectivity required of two outstanding programs. Adam you have been dealt a bad deck of cards. I hope you are able to be successful.

[chenalex]

I think people here are just looking for reasons to criticize Adam. He's just reporting Bruin news as Diane Pucin reported it. If he didn't, you people would be jumping down his throat for not being on top of Bruin news. It's not like Adam was the one who wrote the article - Diane Pucin did.

Back to the subject at hand though, the article has apparently been edited to only say that Kevin Love is jumping to the NBA.

[Bruin87]

a source in san antonio ran into westbrook and his family on sat. night. when asked if he planned to return to ucla, westbrook smiled and gave a thumbs up.

[Shane]

It wouldn't surprise me if Collison, Westbrook, and Love all leave. Good luck to them if they do. I personally think that they would all benefit for staying another year and then leaving.

Love needs still needs to work on his defense and cutting down on turnovers. Westbrook needs to work his shooting. Collison is an excellent point guard but because of his size, I can't help but wonder if he is maybe too small for the NBA.

[pk-in-the-mesa]

Its all about the duckets my friends and of course Ben's Cat of Nine Tails

[silverlake bruin]

Is Pucin going to retract her fake story? Howland said he hadn't talket to Collison, and both Collison and Love's parents say no decision has been made and it won't be made until after this weekend.

Is Pucin saying Howland, the Loves and the Collisons are all lying, or will she admit her story is worthless?