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UCLA Basketball: Ike Anigbogu To Declare for NBA Draft Without an Agent

By Mike Regalado

Feb 23, 2017; Tempe, AZ, USA; UCLA Bruins forward Ike Anigbogu (13) against the Arizona State Sun Devils at Wells-Fargo Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 23, 2017; Tempe, AZ, USA; UCLA Bruins forward Ike Anigbogu (13) against the Arizona State Sun Devils at Wells-Fargo Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports /
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The UCLA Basketball team has potentially lost their third player to the NBA Draft as the third member of the 2016 recruiting class, center Ike Anigbogu, will declare after one season.

It was announced today that UCLA Basketball freshman center Ike Anigbogu will declare for the NBA Draft. Angbogu was the third member of the highly touted 2016 class which included Lonzo Ball and TJ Leaf, both of who have already declared for the draft.

Anigbogu has announced that he will declare for the draft, but not hire an agent. That will allow him to return to UCLA if he believes his chances in the draft are not good.

Anigbogu has until the end of May to decide to return to UCLA.

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This move is a bit of a shock as Anigbogu was the seventh man in the Bruins’ rotation. He had the seventh most minutes played per game with 13.0 (less than half of Ball and Leaf).

For the season, Anigbogu averaged 4.7 points, 4.1 rebounds and 1.3 blocks.

Though he did not play a whole lot, Anigbogu has a lot of upside. Not only was his strength an asset under the rim, but he was the best defensive presence in the front court,

If Anigbogu decides that he wants to stay with the UCLA basketball team, there’s a good chance that he could earned a starting spot. With defense being a weakness of the Bruins under head coach Steve Alford, Anigbogu’s skills would be much needed next season.

Anigbogu is not being projected as a first round draft pick. If he was to get selected, he would most likely be chosen in the second round.

Next: What's Next for UCLA Basketball

Though we would like to see him return for another year and really build up his draft stock, if he does choose to head to the NBA Draft, we wish him good luck! Go Ike!