AFFLALO TO TEST STATUS UCLA GUARD TO APPLY FOR DRAFT.

Byline: BRIAN DOHN Staff Writer

UCLA sophomore guard Arron Afflalo will enter the NBA draft, but he will not hire an agent and will abide by the NCAA-mandated guidelines to retain his college eligibility, sources said Wednesday.

Afflalo, who led the Bruins in scoring last season, will remain enrolled in classes at UCLA while working out for NBA teams in preparation for the June 28 draft.

Meanwhile, UCLA sophomore point guard Jordan Farmar continues to wrestle with whether to declare for the draft as well. Sources close to Farmar believe he will follow Afflalo's path and not hire an agent. An announcement on the plans of both players could come by the end of the week.

In case either or both of the players leave, UCLA will add backcourt depth today. That's when Leuzinger High of Lawndale senior guard Russell Westbrook said he will sign a binding national letter of intent. He gave a non-binding oral commitment to Bruins coach Ben Howland late Tuesday night, and will play next season.

Afflalo's decision makes sense in that he will be able to work out for NBA teams, and attend a June pre-draft camp in Orlando if he so desires, but not lose his college eligibility because he will attend classes. Players have until June 19 to withdraw from the NBA draft and remain in college, providing they do not sign with an agent.

Afflalo, who averaged 15.8points in leading UCLA to the national title game, is doing the same thing Dijon Thompson did two years ago. Thompson averaged 14.4 points and 4.3 rebounds as a junior and then declared for the draft but pulled his name out before the deadline. He went on to lead the Bruins in scoring (18.4 ppg) and rebounding (8.8 rpg) his senior season.

It is unlikely either Afflalo or Farmar would remain in the draft if they were not guaranteed of being picked in the first round.

The 6-foot-3 Westbrook, a shooting guard, was offered scholarships mostly by mid-major schools going into his final year at Leuzinger, but during a strong senior season, in which he averaged 25.1points and 8.7 rebounds, offers came from Wake Forest, Arizona State and UCLA.

"I think it was the best thing for me," Westbrook said of committing to the Bruins. "It's an opportunity to play for a good school and a good coach. I worked on everything (last season), every aspect of my game."

In Westbrook, UCLA gets a rising talent with the ability to play minutes at the point. And if Farmar and/or Afflalo leave, Westbrook gives the Bruins someone who can play immediately.

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(color) UCLA guard Arron Afflalo is declaring for the NBA draft, but will not hire an agent.

Associated Press

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AFFLALO STATS