SoCalHoops College News

Baron Davis Announces He's Leaving
UCLA For The NBA--(May 12, 1999)

Not much of a surprise here, but UCLA's Baron Davis (6'-2" So. PG) announced at his press conference about an hour ago that he will leave college for the NBA. "This has been a lifelong dream for me," Davis said at a campus news conference this morning. Also in attendance were Baron's mother and sister, and his grandmother.  "I feel it's time to be challenged at the highest level," he told those in attendance.  Davis averaged 15.9 points, 5.1 assists and 2.5 steals for the Bruins last season. He missed the first four games while recovering from knee injury that occurred during the 1998 NCAA
Tournament.

ESPN is reporting that Davis said he decided two days ago to enter the draft.  "It's not about money because money can't buy all the experiences I had here, all the laughs and all the tears," he said. "The NBA is calling and I think I'm ready for the challenge."  

UCLA coach Steve Lavin said he talked to scouts and NBA officials, and they told him Davis could go as high as a No. 2 pick and most likely no lower than a No. 6 pick. "There's no question he's a lottery-level pick," Lavin said. As a freshman, before injuring his knee, Davis averaged 11.7 points, 4.0 rebounds, 5.0 assists and 2.4 steals. 

Like we said earlier, Go Clippers.

Baron's announcment leaves the Bruins with only two point guards, Earl Watson (6'-0" So. PG) and Ryan "Moose" Bailey (6'-1" So. PG), the younger brother of former Bruin Toby Bailey.

 
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