UCLA's Shipp pulls out of NBA draft

Jun 11, 2008 - 2:23 AM LOS ANGELES (Ticker) - UCLA swingman Josh Shipp has decided to stay in school.

Shipp on Tuesday withdrew his name from the NBA draft and will return to play his senior season with the Bruins.

With the departure of star freshman center Kevin Love to the NBA, Shipp's announcement provides a boost for the Bruins, who have been to three consecutive Final Fours.

"Josh has been an integral part of our three Final Four runs and I am really excited that he is coming back for his senior year," UCLA coach Ben Howland said. "I expect him to have his best year as a Bruin, and not just because of his talent, but because this is the first summer in the last three that he can focus on his game as opposed to having to rehab from hip surgery.

The 6-5 Shipp averaged 12.2 points in his junior season, which ended with a loss to Memphis in the national semifinals. He was the only player to start all 39 games for UCLA (35-4).

With Darren Collison and Alfred Aboya also returning for their senior seasons, the Bruins again should be a national title contender.

"I am glad I went through this process. It gave me the opportunity to get input and prepare my body and my game for the next level," Shipp said. "But at the end of the day, I wanted to come back and make another run for the championship. We've been close three times and a goal of mine is to win the NCAA championship.

"I think with our core of seniors, we have the leadership necessary to make another run for the title and I'm looking forward to next season."

The NBA draft is June 26.