The future of the NBA already looks plenty bright with new young stars breaking out every year. It’s hard not to be blown away at some of the sheer talent that the elite under-25 players have in the NBA.
Looking to add on to this exciting future, this year’s NBA draft class is filled with star potential, particularly with guards at the top such as Markelle Fultz, Lonzo Ball, Dennis Smith, De’Aaaron Fox, and Malik Monk.
As the college tournament winds down, marking the end of the NCAA season, more and more players are going to begin declaring for the draft and adding on to that list earlier today was UCLA freshman TJ Leaf, via Twitter:
#ThankYouBruins #GoBruins pic.twitter.com/aVsQbnwdxk
— TJ Leaf (@leafsquad22) March 30, 2017
TJ Leaf enjoyed a solid freshman year at UCLA alongside projected top 3 pick Lonzo Ball, going 31-5 this past season. While the duo seemed to had molded the Bruins into title threats going into the tournament, the campaign didn’t end the way either of them would have hoped, with an 86-75 loss to the Kentucky Wildcats in the Sweet Sixteen.
Though the loss cut their season short, it certainly didn’t do any damage to the draft stock of Leaf who was a huge contributor all season. On the year, Leaf averaged a healthy 16.3 points per game to go along with 8.2 rebounds. At 6’10”, the power forward provides for an immediate lengthy presence down low but he’ll need to gain some strength if he plans to survive the punishment he’ll be subject to in the lane. His ability to consistently stretch the floor and knock down jumpers stretching out to the NCAA three-point line will be a major plus towards his draft stock.
Considering his young age, the way he played last year, and the modern stretch 4 potential he possesses, Leaf could end up being picked towards the end of the lottery on draft day.
