UCLA’s Smith declares for draft

He is wading into the great unknown, a fringe NBA prospect embarking on an undetermined process that could culminate in a delayed draft because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Chris Smith took the first step toward that uncertainty Tuesday, UCLA’s leading scorer and the Pac-12 Conference’s most improved player declaring for the NBA draft one month after the end of his junior season.

“This is a step-by-step process,” Sean Smith, Chris’ father, said via text message.

Chris Smith has long intrigued NBA personnel because he’s a bouncy 6-foot-9 guard with versatility, but he also has been prone to inconsistency throughout his college career. He’s considered by some a borderline second-round pick after a season in which he averaged 13.1 points and 5.4 rebounds, becoming a first-team AllPac-12 selection.

ESPN has listed Smith as the No. 72 best available prospect, meaning he could be left on the board in a tworound draft that has 60 picks. Under current rules, draft-eligible underclassmen have until June 3 to inform the NBA that they intend to withdraw from draft consideration and return to college. — Ben Bolch

Duke freshman Cassius Stanley, who starred at Chatsworth Sierra Canyon High, declared for the NBA draft . ... Maryland forward Jalen Smith said he would be eligible for the 2020 NBA draft and forgo his remaining two years of eligibility . ... Arizona point guard Nico Mannion declared for the NBA draft . ... Small forward Saddiq Bey of Villanova, center Luka Garza of Iowa, shooting guard Myles Powell of Seton Hall, point guard Payton Pritchard of Oregon and power forward Obi Toppin

of Dayton earned positional awards from the Basketball Hall of Fame.