UCLA guard Jules Bernard to enter 2022 NBA Draft, maintain his college eligibility
Jules Bernard is testing the NBA Draft waters.
The UCLA guard announced on his Instagram page Tuesday that he’ll be entering his name into the field for the 2022 NBA Draft, but he will still maintain his college eligibility. Bernard could still return for his super-senior season in 2022-23, but will seek some input from NBA scouts first.
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Bernard will have until June 1 to withdraw his name if he wishes to return to UCLA.
The 6-foot-7 guard appeared in every game for the Bruins last season (35), drawing starts in all but one. He posted career-highs for points (12.8), assists (1.7), steals (1.0), and free throw percentage (82%). Bernard wasn’t quite as efficient with his shot as he was the year before, shooting 42% from the field and 34% from 3-point range, but he caught fire down the stretch of the season.
After a Bruin loss to Oregon in which Bernard shot 4-for-11 from the field and was held in single digits scoring for the fifth time in the previous seven outings, Bernard turned it up for nine straight double-digit scoring performances. His hot shooting helped the Bruins advance to the Pac-12 championship game and then to the Sweet 16 at the NCAA Tournament.
Though he’s not showing up in any mock drafts, Bernard is a super-sized guard with a career 35% clip from beyond the arc. Should he choose to return to Westwood, though, he’ll join up with Jame Jaquez Jr. as UCLA looks to make another run at titles. Jaquez announced his return on Monday. UCLA is still awaiting word from Johnny Juzang, Myles Johnson, Cody Riley, and David Singleton on potential returns for next year.