Arron Afflalo entered a UCLA basketball program full of turmoil.

He left the same program three years later a first-team All-American, a Pac-10 player of the year and a back-to-back Final Four participant.

One can argue that Afflalo had plenty of help in rejuvenating the legacy of the UCLA basketball program but no one can argue that Afflalo was not UCLA’s ringleader or the face of the team.

“He brings a lot of things to the table,” coach Ben Howland said. “He is UCLA’s first consensus All-American since Ed O’Bannon in 1995 and had a tremendous year.”

During his junior season, Afflalo led the Bruins with 16.9 points per game and brought UCLA to its second consecutive Pac-10 title.

Afflalo was the Bruins’ top defender and, undoubtedly, the team’s captain and emotional leader.

“I feel like I was the leader of this team,” Afflalo said during his farewell press conference. “The guys depended on me. I loved being together with these guys. That is what I will miss most.”

Afflalo was a man to always defer his accomplishments to others and his contributions were best put by his coach.

“I feel very blessed to have had the opportunity to coach Arron,” Howland said. “He is all about helping his team win and being a great teammate – one that is unselfish and plays both ends of the floor.”

Afflalo was a unique player from the time he arrived on UCLA’s campus. As a freshman he started every game and showed more poise and determination than his senior counterparts.

He was Howland’s first recruit, and from his first game, he always had the responsibility of guarding the other team’s best player. In a way, Afflalo was everything Howland looked for in a player: a hard-nosed defender, a smart offensive player and, most importantly, a high-character individual.

“I’ll always be very thankful and appreciative to Arron,” Howland said. “He will always be a Bruin and I’m excited about the relationship that we have developed over the last four years.”

This past season, Afflalo showed off his experience and his offensive abilities shined like never before. In a defining moment, Afflalo hit a game-winning jump shot midway through the season against crosstown rival USC. Afflalo later showed his abilities in the NCAA Tournament when he carried the Bruins to their biggest win, in an Elite Eight victory over top-seeded Kansas.

Afflalo, moreover, was able to show his leadership and offensive abilities that were kept in secret during his first two years.

“I feel I grew as a person and player this season,” Afflalo said. “The greater expectations and everything that came with it were great.

“Personally, it was great for me to showcase my skills on such a great team.”

Afflalo will now try to make a similar transition as he moves onto the next phase in his life, the NBA.

Afflalo spent the majority of April and May training in San Francisco and has spent the early part of June working out for numerous NBA teams. He did not participate in the NBA predraft camp in Orlando, Fla., last week but did participate in a few individual workouts in Orlando with the teams that were interested in him.

Afflalo, who signed with agent Sam Goldfeder of Excel Sports Management, has been projected to go anywhere from the late first round to being undrafted.

“(Arron) has the things that coaches are looking for at the next level,” Howland said. “I believe he will have a long and successful career in the NBA.”