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UCLA Basketball: Aaron Holiday invited to attend the 2018 NBA Draft

By Mike Regalado

LAS VEGAS, NV - MARCH 09: Aaron Holiday #3 of the UCLA Bruins is guarded by Parker Jackson-Cartwright #0 of the Arizona Wildcats during a semifinal game of the Pac-12 basketball tournament at T-Mobile Arena on March 9, 2018 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Wildcats won 78-67 in overtime. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
LAS VEGAS, NV - MARCH 09: Aaron Holiday #3 of the UCLA Bruins is guarded by Parker Jackson-Cartwright #0 of the Arizona Wildcats during a semifinal game of the Pac-12 basketball tournament at T-Mobile Arena on March 9, 2018 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Wildcats won 78-67 in overtime. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images) /
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UCLA basketball’s Aaron Holiday has been invited to the Green Room at the 2018 NBA Draft, an exclusive honor give to only a few players that look to be certain first round selections.

For the last three season, Aaron Holiday has given his blood, sweat and tears to the UCLA basketball team. This Thursday, it looks like it will all pay off.

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Holiday has been projected to be taken in this year’s NBA Draft, but on top of that, he has also been invited to the Green Room, an honor bestowed upon those that are generally projected to be selected in the first round.

Holiday had NBA aspirations after the 2016-17 season, though feedback from pro scouts led him back to Westwood and it paid off in a big way. Last season, the Bruins had an up-and-down season, though Holiday was one of the few shining lights.

He led UCLA and the Pac-12 Conference in scoring with 20.3 points per game. He was also second in the conference in assists with 5.8. Though the Bruins ended with a disappointing 21-12 record, Holiday had pulled UCLA through key games which included wins against Kentucky, Arizona (in Tucson) and a sweep against USC.

Looking at the majority of most mock drafts, Holiday looks to be a mid-to-late round selection. At that point, he would most likely be taken by a team that is looking for a solid backup point guard, which Holiday is no stranger to being. In his sophomore season, Holiday came off the bench for Lonzo Ball (after starting in his freshman year), yet that did not deter him.

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Every time Holiday came off the bench, he brought a certain energy and spark which could benefit the pro team that selects him. With any luck and proper development, he could eventually be a starting point guard. Good luck on Thursday, Aaron!