Sounds official to me

photo credit: Los Angeles Times

UCLA's Holiday to hire agent, go pro
Guard is projected as a top-10 pick in many mock drafts
By Brian Dohn, Staff Writer
Updated: 06/12/2009 10:00:34 PM PDT


Campbell Hall High of North Hollywood product Jrue Holiday spent the morning of his 19 th birthday working out for the Sacramento Kings, then chillin' in the evening as he continued his path toward the NBA.

The 6-foot-3 guard also used the momentous day to make his departure from UCLA official, saying Friday he will sign with an agent and forego his final three years of college eligibility to remain in the NBA draft. The story was first reported on dailynews.com.

"It wasn't really (a tough decision)," Holiday said. "I'm in the position I want to be in. I'm hearing lottery, and that's where I want to be."

Holiday added a decision was not yet made on an agent, but one of his advisors is agent Dan Fegan. The NBA draft is June 25.

Holiday averaged 8.5 points and 3.7 assists per game despite playing the shooting-guard position, but was criticized by UCLA fans for not having a bigger impact on a senior-led team.

All of his workouts with NBA teams were as a point guard, his natural position and the place he is most comfortable, and his draft status rose almost immediately.

The Kings hold the fourth pick in the draft, and Holiday worked out for them twice.

He also took part in the Chicago pre-draft camp last month and had workouts with a number of other teams, including the New York Knicks, Milwaukee Bucks and Phoenix Suns. Holiday said he will have more workouts leading up to the draft.

The decision means UCLA is losing a player to the NBA after one season for the second straight year.

Holiday, like center Kevin Love, was a national Gatorade Player of the Year as a high school senior, and was a projected lottery pick before playing for the Bruins.

Love was drafted fifth overall by the Memphis Grizzlies last year and traded to the Minnesota Timberwolves.

But when Holiday announced in March he was entering the draft, he was hoping to follow another former Bruins' path.

Russell Westbrook impressed NBA personnel so much during workouts last spring he transformed himself from a late first-round selection to the fourth overall pick when he was selected by Seattle, which then moved to Oklahoma City.

Holiday said he would phone Bruins coach Ben Howland today to inform him of his decision.

Holiday had until Monday to withdraw from the draft and return for his sophomore season.

Best of luck, Jrue!