UCLA Basketball: Aaron Holiday returning to lead Bruins

After withdrawing from the NBA Draft, UCLA guard Aaron Holiday is the highest returning scorer for the Bruins. He will we expected to help lead the team to another successful season.

As a result of last year’s incredible season, which saw UCLA put together the best offense the NCAA has seen in years, the Bruins had two players graduate and five others declare for the draft.

While TJ Leaf, Ike Anigbogu, and Lonzo Ball all hired agents and remained in the draft, Aaron Holiday decided to return to UCLA with Thomas Welsh.

Holiday, who was the sixth man on the Bruins, helps restore hope for next season and should be the primary scoring option. Last season, despite a loaded offense, Holiday was able to record 12.3 points and 4.4 assists per game. His efficiency was impressive, shooting .485 from the floor and .411 from deep.

With Leaf, Ball, Isaac Hamilton, and Bryce Alford gone and unproven recruits replacing them, Holiday will need to do more. He will be the team’s primary ball handler, taking over for Ball. His assist total, which ranked second on the team last year, will increase as he becomes the playmaker.

This decision to return to UCLA was a great move by Holiday. While he will eventually join his brothers, Jrue and Justin, in the NBA, returning allows him to raise his stock. The roster will be somewhat thinner next season, putting Holiday in the perfect position to showcase his talent.

Next: Thomas Welsh returns to UCLA

UCLA fans should also be excited, knowing they will have another experienced player joining Thomas Welsh as the Bruins’ leaders.