UCLA star to forgo final year of eligibility, enter NBA Draft

"To all of UCLA's fans, thank you so much for allowing me to be a part of your life for four years," Jaquez said. "Please know, I gave everything I had.  "My four years at UCLA have been incredible, and I'll always be proud to be a Bruin. But I'm also excited about my future, my NBA dreams and my continued basketball growth." 

UCLA head coach Mick Cronin said it was hard to put what Jaquez has meant to the program in words but added that it was time for him to "take the next step." 

"He's a terrific young man who has grown tremendously in Westwood," Cronin said via Tarek Fattal of the L.A. Daily News. "His dedication, his loyalty and his tenacity are unmatched, and I can't wait to see him play in the NBA. I understand why UCLA fans love this guy so much because he's everything that you want to see in a Bruin." 

Jaquez ranked among the top five in the Pac-12 in points per game (17.8, 2nd), steals (1.5, 4th) and rebounds (8.2, 5th) over 37 regular-season games with the Bruins during the 2022-23 campaign. 

Jaquez was even more impressive in the NCAA Tournament for UCLA. Over three games, Jaquez averaged 23.3 points, 9.0 rebounds and 2.7 steals. 

The consensus among draft experts says Jaquez will likely hear his name called in the late first or early second round. According to NBA Mock Draft Database, Jaquez could be selected as high as 26th in May's NBA Draft.