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UCLA Basketball: Thomas Welsh forgoes NBA Draft, returning to Bruins

By Taylor Sturm

Feb 25, 2017; Tucson, AZ, USA; UCLA Bruins center Thomas Welsh (40) celebrates after scoring agains the Arizona Wildcats during the second half at McKale Center. UCLA won 77-72. Mandatory Credit: Casey Sapio-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 25, 2017; Tucson, AZ, USA; UCLA Bruins center Thomas Welsh (40) celebrates after scoring agains the Arizona Wildcats during the second half at McKale Center. UCLA won 77-72. Mandatory Credit: Casey Sapio-USA TODAY Sports /
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The UCLA Bruins might be losing Lonzo Ball to the NBA, but Thomas Welsh is returning for another season.

The UCLA Bruins received fantastic news on Tuesday afternoon, as Thomas Welsh announced via Twitter that he would be withdrawing from the 2017 NBA Draft and returning to school for another season.

Last season, Welsh, a 7’0, 245-pound center out of Redondo Beach, CA, averaged 10.8 points per game, 8.7 rebounds per game, an assist per game, and 1.3 blocks per game over 25.1 minutes per game. He helped lead the Bruins to a phenomenal 31-5 record that saw them enter the 2017 NCAA Tournament as a No. 3 seed. UCLA would eventually lose to the Kentucky Wildcats in the Sweet 16, but Welsh did enough for NBA scouts to know his name.

Giving the NBA Draft process a try, he entered without an agent, meaning that he could decide to return to school before May 24. Welsh wasn’t even listed in the top 100 on DraftExpress.com, so you can see why his decision to return another season makes sense. His size is perfect for the NBA, however, so, if he can step into a bigger role this season, Welsh could see his draft stock skyrocket.

His size is perfect for the NBA, however. If he can step into a bigger role this season, Welsh could see his draft stock skyrocket. Whether or not this is an NBA-based decision remains to be seen, but he makes this Bruins team significantly better due to his experience.

Next: Best NBA fits for Lonzo Ball

UCLA might not be the favorite to win the PAC-12 next season, but Welsh’s return puts them neck and neck with the Arizona Wildcats.

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