Collison to stay at UCLA

UCLA’s Darren Collison has chosen not to make himself eligible for the NBA Draft and will stay at UCLA for his senior season.

Wow.

I, like many others thought for sure he was gone. Either Collison wasn’t sure he was going to be taken in the first round or he really likes playing at UCLA (can you blame him?). Regardless of why, I’m sure glad Collison’s back and I’m thrilled I was wrong for thinking he was gone. As Ben Howland said Collison’s return means UCLA starts the season with an All-American point guard.

Even if Kevin Love, Josh Shipp, Luc Richard Mbah a Moute and Alfred Aboya all end up leaving early, I’m confident UCLA basketball will still be really good next year with Collison’s return and the incoming freshmen coming in next year.

I’m not the only one excited. Bruins Nation, Gutty Little Bruins and Bruin Basketball Report all beat me to posts about this. Collison’s already been on three Final Four teams. While it’s unreasonable to expect that to happen a fourth time, you never know. It will certainly be a fun senior season to watch.