UCLA Basketball Is Putting In Some Off-Season Work
It has been just over a month since a new college basketball champion has been crowned, yet that has not stopped several teams from getting a jump on developing for next season. One of those is your own UCLA basketball squad who has been putting in work at Pauley Pavilion.
In the last week, the Bruins have been posting pictures and videos via Twitter and Vine showing a few Bruins practicing and working on individual drills.
There's nothing like a good afternoon workout in the offseason. #OffseasonGrind pic.twitter.com/VCGJ4Hf0xt
— UCLA Men’s Basketball (@UCLAMBB) May 7, 2015
... and moments later in 1-on-1 drills, Noah tied up Jonah. #defense #OffseasonGrind pic.twitter.com/CkY0dwufuU
— UCLA Men’s Basketball (@UCLAMBB) May 7, 2015
After finishing fourth in the Pac-12 in the 2014-15 season with an overall record of 22-14 and an 11-7 conference record, the Bruins are looking to improve on that come next fall. UCLA loses fan favorite Norman Powell to graduation as well as freshman Kevon Looney as an early entry into the NBA Draft, which means the fate of the Bruins belongs to those returning for the 2015-16 season.
Gotta' keep improving that footwork. #OffseasonGrind https://t.co/17BgSr02XN
— UCLA Men’s Basketball (@UCLAMBB) May 7, 2015
Getting ready for the next #MarchToMarch. #GoBruins https://t.co/gZwoSiLd9T
— UCLA Men’s Basketball (@UCLAMBB) May 8, 2015
Conditioning, shooting and always improving. #BigTom https://t.co/g0pIoEgeTQ
— UCLA Men’s Basketball (@UCLAMBB) May 12, 2015
UCLA basketball has a good core of players coming back that includes Bryce Alford, Isaac Hamilton and Tony Parker. With their leadership and knowledge of the Bruin’s system, UCLA will have experience to go with their talents. Even better, they will also have depth.
UCLA Bruins
The Bruins have several young players that made a impact last year and look to continue that trend with Thomas Welsh, Gyorgy Goloman and the now-eligible Jonah Bolden. With proper development and training, these three can be realistic threats in 2015-16.
If all of that does not impress you, then think about the talent they have coming in this summer as commits Aaron Holiday, Prince Ali, Alex Olesinski and junior college transfer Ikenna Okwarabizie will be on campus to start training with the Bruins.
It will be several months until we finally see what UCLA basketball can collectively do on the court, but seeing how they have done in the NCAA Tournament in the last two years, it is apparent the Bruins (and their fans) want more than just a Sweet Sixteen appearance.
Going forward, it is about a championship. UCLA basketball may not yet be at that stage in their progress, but putting in the hard work is the first step in that journey. Go Bruins!