Kevon Looney is kissing his college career goodbye.
UCLA's freshman power forward has declared for the NBA draft, the school announced Monday.
"This was a really tough decision for me because there were so many positives both ways," Looney said. "My time at UCLA has been unbelievable, and I know I’ll be a Bruin forever. But playing in the NBA is a dream I've had for so long, and this feels like the right time to pursue that dream and make the transition to the next level."
The 6-foot-9 Milwaukee native earned 2014-15 second-team All-Pac-12 honors, averaging 11.6 points and leading the team with 9.2 rebounds per game.
"It's difficult because on one hand, I couldn't be more excited for Kevon while on the other, the realization hits you that we’re losing one of the finest young men that I've ever had an opportunity to coach," head coach Steve Alford said.
"Kevon is exceptionally hard-working, extraordinarily humble and one of those guys who gives you everything he has on a nightly basis. And as good as Kevon was on the floor, he was an even better person off of it."
UCLA has had its fair share of players turn pro in recent seasons. Last year, UCLA was the only program to produce three first-round draft picks - Zach LaVine, Jordan Adams and Kyle Anderson.
The Bruins are tied with Kentucky in producing 112 NBA draft selections. UCLA has produced 37 first-round picks overall.