A Very Early Projection Of The UCLA Basketball Depth Chart For 2015-16

UCLA Basketball has had a culture change and one that has them heading back in the direction of the nation’s elite. Head coach Steve Alford has reworked the Bruins to be an up-tempo team and with that is drawing up-tempo players on the recruiting scene. A few weeks ago, the Bruins received National Letters of Intent from Aaron Holiday and Prince Ali, two four-star recruits that will look to contribute a lot next season. That is addition to the Top 20 class he brought in this season. With that, we look ahead to next season and what the UCLA basketball depth chart will look like.

Technically, UCLA will have only one roster spot free up as Norman Powell will be graduating (and will be dearly missed). So if every other Bruin stays for next season, here is what the depth chart could look like:

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Not only is it packed with talent but deep as well.

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With Holiday coming in, the Bruins will have three options at point guard, but because he is a natural floor general, he could step in to take over the offense right away. Though Bryce Alford is doing a good job handling the point this early in the season, he has also shown that he can be an effective shooter and having a distributor that can look for him will spread defenses out a lot. Isaac Hamilton, though slowly coming into his own with this Bruin team, is starting to show his athleticism. Can you imagine a back court with three ball handlers? The movement and rotations will be in good hands the entire game.

To add, the Bruins will have the #10 shooting guard in the country in Ali helping off the bench (unless he can land a starting roll) along with five-star Jonah Bolden who has to sit out this season due to eligibility. The good and bad thing about Bolden is that he might be talented enough to head to the NBA after one season, but that is yet to be seen. Add to that Noah Allen who is finding a bit of identity off the bench this season as a scorer and UCLA has six players in the back court that have a lot of talent.

Nov 20, 2014; Los Angeles, CA, USA; UCLA Bruins forward Kevon Looney (5) scores against the Nicholls State Colonels during the second half at Pauley Pavilion. Mandatory Credit: Richard Mackson-USA TODAY Sports

And how about the front court? Assuming that rebounding aficionado Kevon Looney stays, him and an improving Tony Parker will dominate the low post play as they are both are scoring in double digits this season. That would be one heck of a way to start the games down low, but then they also have three other big men that are very promising, especially 7’0″ Thomas Welsh.

Welsh has come off the bench this season and it is clear he still needs time to fully assimilate into the college basketball world, but he has also shown that he will be a solid big man with his ability to grab rebounds and get to the rim. If he can learn to finish, he will be unstoppable. Wanaah Bail and Gyorgy Goloman have played sparingly this year, but what we have seen are two players that get after the ball. They may not have the talent as some of their teammates, but they have shown that they can be reliable for good stretches of the game.

So imagine that. UCLA has the chance to be a two-deep team with a lot of talent at every position next season. If you think this year was going to be decent for Bruin hoops, just think what next year will bring. A lot.