Shaka Smart turned down an opportunity to coach UCLA and instead signed a contract extension with Virginia Commonwealth, according to a source with direct knowledge of the situation.

Smart’s extension will run through 2023 and pay him approximately $1.5 million annually, a 25 percent increase from his previous salary.

Smart, 35, was pursued by Illinois last season and North Carolina State two years ago.

Temple's Khalif Wyatt has been named the Atlantic-10 Player of the Year.

Joining Wyatt on the All-Conference First Team are Rotnei Clarke of Butler, Dwayne Evans of Saint Louis, La Salle's Ramon Galloway and Chaz Williams of Massachusetts.

Briante Weber of VCU was named Defensive Player of the Year and Semaj Christon of Xavier won Rookie of the Year honors.

Virginia Commonwealth has received 31 NBA scouting credentials requests for their game on Saturday against Lehigh.

Twenty different NBA teams will be represented at the game.

Lehigh's C.J. McCollum is expected to be a high first round pick in the 2013 NBA Draft.

VCU's Treveon Graham, Juvonte Reddic and Troy Daniels are considered more fringe NBA prospects.

VCU received a commitment from Antravious Simmons, a 6-foot-9, 240-pound center out of South Miami High.

Simmons, who chose the Rams over Alabama, South Carolina, Memphis, South Florida, Miami and Temple, said his relationship with Shaka Smart was the deciding factor.

“He’s a really good guy,” Simmons said. “Young and energetic.”