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UCLA's Holiday, Welsh return to Bruins after withdrawing from NBA draft

Casey Sapio / USA TODAY Sports

Thomas Welsh is going to kick the UCLA can one more time, as the 7-footer announced Tuesday he has decided to withdraw from the NBA draft and return to the Bruins for his senior season.

"Excited to announce that I have decided to return to UCLA for my senior season!" Welsh said via Twitter. "I'm extremely grateful for everyone who helped me through this process and I can't wait to get to work for this upcoming season."

Sophomore guard Aaron Holiday has also made the decision to withdraw from the NBA draft in favor of his junior season, according to Jon Rothstein of FanRag Sports, citing an official release.

Welsh brings an intriguing skill set back to UCLA, given his ability to shoot as a true 7-footer. The big man was able to make 89 percent of his free throws last year, an unusual trait for men of his size.

UCLA head coach Steve Alford will gladly welcome Holiday and Welsh back after losing the likes of Lonzo Ball and TJ Leaf to the NBA draft. Holiday averaged 12.3 points and 4.4 assists in 26.4 minutes for the Bruins, while Welsh averaged 10.8 points, 8.7 rebounds, and 1.3 blocks over 25.1 minutes

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