UCLA forward Jules Bernard will dip his toe in the proverbial NBA waters in the coming weeks, according to his Instagram, which explained he’ll be seeking feedback on his NBA draft stock while maintaining his college eligibility.
“Bruin Faithful,” Bernard wrote in his post on Instagram. “Thank you for all your support these past four years. It has been an incredible run. As for my future – I have decided to enter my name in the 2022 NBA Draft while maintaining my collegiate eligibility. I’m super excited to start this process and I’m looking forward to taking steps toward achieving my dreams.”
The 6-foot-7 wing, who played locally at Windward in Los Angeles before his time as a Bruin, has one year of eligibility remaining – an extra year he can exercise after the NCAA granted an additional year of eligibility due to the COVID-19 pandemic. He can elect to stay and play with UCLA if he withdraws his name from the NBA draft by June 1.
Bernard could be invited to this year’s NBA Draft Combine, which is from May 16-22. There he would receive all the feedback he’d need to make his decision.
“Jules and I are in constant communication about his process,” UCLA head coach Mick Cronin said. “We are supporting Jules every way that we can, and we are excited for him to go through his evaluation and workout process over the next month. He has been a great Bruin and has improved as a player every season at UCLA. Should Jules decide to play as a super senior, we would be absolutely thrilled to have him back in Westwood.”
Bernard’s game has evolved since he arrived. He’s averaged 9.2 points and 3.9 rebounds in 130 games in four years. As a senior last season, he tallied 12.8 points, 4.7 rebounds and 1.7 assists per game. Bernard was one of two players at UCLA to have played in all 35 games (along with senior Myles Johnson). He joined the program’s 1,000-career point list this past season to become the 58th player at UCLA to reach the milestone. Bernard is No. 43 all time with 1,195 points.
Bernard is the fourth UCLA player to announce his intention for the future, although the first three – Jake Kyman, Peyton Watson and Jaime Jaquez Jr. – have been more definitive. Kyman transferred to Wyoming, Watson declared to the NBA draft and said he was hiring an agent, and Jaquez is staying for his senior season.
Players like Johnny Juzang, David Singleton and Myles Johnson have yet to announce their decision relating to their future at UCLA.