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Arizona basketball: Brandon Ashley declares for NBA Draft

The second starter to leave Tucson

By Jason Bartel
Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports

In a release issued on Wednesday afternoon, Arizona Wildcats forward Brandon Ashley has officially declared for the NBA Draft.

In the statement, Ashley says:

"After giving it much thought and talking with my mother and my coaches, I have decided to enter the NBA Draft. I am very proud of my time at Arizona, especially of the success I've had with my Wildcat brothers over the last three years. I want to thank Coach (Sean) Miller, the coaching staff, the administration, the fans and the city of Tucson for an incredible college experience and unforgettable support.

"During my time as a Wildcat, I have grown both on and off the court, which has made me a stronger athlete and person today. I know this is the right time for me to make the move to the NBA, and I will continue to be one of the hardest working guys out there until I fulfill my lifelong dream of playing at the highest level."

He also tweeted out the sentiments.

Brandon Ashley is not listed in many NBA mock drafts out there right now. In his junior season at Arizona, Ashley averaged 12.2 points and 5.2 rebounds per game. His 25 blocks were second on the team to Rondae Hollis-Jefferson, who declared for the Draft one day before Ashley.

Sean Miller seems to think that the Pac-12 Tournament Ashley had will vault him onto bigger and better things. This was coach's full statement:

"We support Brandon's decision to declare for this year's NBA Draft. Brandon had a major impact on all three of the teams that he played on during his time at Arizona. Watching him overcome the injury he sustained during the 2013-14 season and then have the type of junior season he had was one of my proudest moments as a coach.

"His performance in this year's Pac-12 Tournament is a sign of many things to come in his future, and we know he'll be a success in his professional career moving forward. We will miss Brandon's consistency and maturity off the court in so many ways. In the classroom, he has put himself in a great position to earn his degree and in our community, he was as likeable and engaging as any player we've had."

Perhaps the craziest stat of Ashley's time at Arizona: The Wildcats were 55-4 with him in the lineup.

Good luck to Brandon Ashley as he pursues his dream of being an NBA player.

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