By JACOB POLACHECK
UCLA guard Kris Wilkes will return to school for his sophomore year after having tested NBA Draft waters, the school announced Tuesday. Wilkes averaged 13.7 points and 4.9 rebounds per game as a freshman in 2017-18.
“Kris was a huge part of our team last season, and he knows that he’ll have an even bigger role for us during his sophomore year,” said UCLA head coach Steve Alford in a press release Tuesday. “With Kris, you’re talking about a young man with limitless potential. We are really excited to have him back for at least one more season. He certainly has a bright future in this game, and there’s no question that, down the road, he will be a first-round draft pick.”
Wilkes finished the 2017-18 season as UCLA’s second-leading scorer and rebounder and was selected to the 2018 Pac-12 All-Freshman Team.
“I’m grateful to everybody at UCLA who has been supporting me and helping me through the pre-draft process,” said Wilkes. “It was certainly an eye-opening experience, one that I know is going to help me get better. I’m excited for the summer and for our season ahead, and I’m ready to get to work. Go Bruins!”
UCLA still awaits a decision from guard Jaylen Hands, who also entered the NBA Draft without an agent.
Photo: Vigilant Sports
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