Bruin fans can now breathe a collective sigh of relief.

Two of the cornerstones of the Bruins’ basketball team, sophomores Darren Collison and Luc Richard Mbah a Moute, announced Wednesday they will be returning to UCLA next season.

Collison, who will be one of the top returning point guards in the nation next year, was contemplating his future for a few weeks before finally making the decision official Wednesday.

“The last two years (at) this school were really enjoyable,” Collison said. “My goal is to win a championship. I didn’t accomplish that in my sophomore year.

“The NBA isn’t going anywhere. UCLA is only going to be here for a certain amount of time.”

Collison was the Bruins’ third leading scorer this last season with 12.7 points per game, and was the team’s assist leader at 5.7 assists per game.

Collison, who was projected by many to be a first-round pick, listened to the input of coach Ben Howland as well as the advice of his family, especially his mother June Griffith-Collison, while making his decision.

“My parents and coach Howland were the only people I needed,” Collison said. “My decision wasn’t based on whether I should go to the NBA or not. My decision was based on whether or not I win a championship at UCLA.”

Mbah a Moute, meanwhile, also took the advice of coach Howland in returning for his junior season. After averaging 8.2 points and 7.4 rebounds per game this past season, Mbah a Moute will have the chance to see a lot of time at the small forward position with Josh Shipp probably moving over to shooting guard.

Mbah a Moute will have a chance to play injury-free after struggling with injury issues throughout this year.

“I think that Luc looked at it seriously but was advised by a number of people that it would be smart for him to wait one more year,” Howland said.

Declaring for the draft was definitely a tempting proposition for Collison, as he made national headlines earlier this year when he was called the best point guard in the nation.

But considering that this year’s draft is filled with talented point guards such as Acie Law and Mike Conley Jr., Howland thinks Collison made the smart decision by returning.

“When you look at this draft, it’s one of the strongest drafts in 10 years,” Howland said. “I think it will benefit (Darren) to enter the NBA as a high draft pick. Where you get drafted has a direct correlation to your success in the league and the longevity of players in the league.”

Collison said during Wednesday’s teleconference that he plans on getting bigger and stronger for next season, and improving overall as a floor leader on the court.

Collison, who currently weighs between 155-160 pounds, said his goal is to be between 165-170 pounds when the season comes along.

“I want to try to get stronger, of course, smarter at the game,” Collison said. “Being a point guard, there’s so many things I have to know. I want to improve on how to control the game.”

With Collison and Mbah a Moute returning, the Bruins will have all but one of their starters returning from this year’s Final Four team.

And with the addition of Parade All-America Player of the Year Kevin Love, as well as Chace Stanback, the Bruins should be back in title contention next season.

“I don’t want to say we’re a favorite to win a championship, but we’re in a good position,” Collison said. “This year, we’re going to go at it again.”