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Leaving UCLA for the NBA after his senior season in 2003, basketball star Jason Kapono will be pa

Jason Kapono left UCLA last spring with the Bruins’ all-time record for three-point field goals and an NBA contract waiting in the balance.

But after having already made the difficult jump to professional hoops, Kapono will be making a jump to the podium as part of this year’s graduating class.

Enrolled in classes this quarter, the former Bruin guard will participate in the ceremonial process later this week.

As a rookie with the Cleveland Cavaliers this past season, Kapono has endured the rigors of NBA play. The more frequent traveling and longer schedule than a typical NCAA season were just two adjustments he was forced to make.

He also had to endure the odd jobs of being a rookie.

“The worst part about being an NBA rookie is every morning on a home game I have to drive 30 minutes in the snow to get these guys fresh Krispy Kreme doughnuts,” Kapono said. “But I’m a first-year guy, and I have to do it.”

Kapono’s first NBA season has been a far cry from his UCLA days.

After leading UCLA in scoring for four straight seasons, Kapono took a backseat to another rookie this past year. For Kapono, playing alongside LeBron James was an eye-opening experience.

“It’s been crazy,” he said. “It’s kind of like traveling with the president.”

On any given night it’s not uncommon for Kapono to find himself on the opposite sideline from former Bruin teammates Dan Gadzuric, Jerome Moiso, Matt Barnes and Earl Watson.

“It’s just kind of weird to see all of the former (players) that I played with,” the 23-year-old said. “It’s good to see them playing well, and hopefully I’ll start to play more.”

Watson, a third-year veteran in the NBA, underwent the same experience after moving up from the college ranks. He imparted some valuable advice to UCLA’s most recent NBA rookie.

“He’s a rookie. He’s got to be patient,” Watson said. “That’s the way the NBA works. Experience is everything. You’ve got to pay your dues. The NBA’s all about that. He’s going to be OK.”

Cavaliers coach Paul Silas agreed.

“He’s going to be a very good player in this league,” Silas said. “He has the one gift that you can’t teach: putting the ball in the basket.”

At the end of his first season, Kapono has seen only limited time, playing in exactly half of his team’s games this season.

Slowed by tendinitis in his knee, Kapono averaged 3.5 points and 1.3 rebounds per game.

But in his limited time in the NBA, Kapono has connected on 47.7 percent of his threes, nearly mimicking his days at UCLA when he shot over 44 percent.

“It’s tough. It’s grueling,” said Kapono of his first year in professional basketball. “But it’s the best job.”

With reports from Bryan Chu and Andrew Finley, Bruin sports senior staff.