UCLA Basketball: Projected Depth Chart For The 2016-17 Season

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Jan 30, 2016; Los Angeles, CA, USA; UCLA Bruins center Thomas Welsh (40) gets a high five from head coach Steve Alford as he leaves the game in the second half against the Washington State Cougars Pauley Pavilion. UCLA won 83-50. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports /

The Starters

The good thing about this roster is that the Bruins could have up to 10 solid players in the rotation. Though minutes will have to be more divided than they have ever been under Alford, the talent level should be improved.

Unfortunately, problems could arise with exactly what Bruins will be in what lineup.

Though it is a good problem, UCLA will have several players to choose from in any given line-up, but studying the roster management of Alford and addressing certain needs, we could most likely see a starting line-up of Lonzo Ball, Bryce Alford, Isaac Hamilton, T.J. Leaf and Thomas Welsh.

Ball is a fantastic distributor and should raise the level of play for the entire team. He is also a fantastic scorer and can take over a game in a moment’s notice.

With Alford at the 2 and Hamilton at the 3, the back court will have experience and will be very dangerous.

Leaf will be that PF the Bruins have been missing. He is similar to Jonah Bolden in that he can play a “stretch 4”, but has better scoring ability. He can hit shots from almost anywhere on the court as well as drive with the ball down court.

Welsh made significant improvements last season and should raise his game next season. One thing he has to do to become that dominating center the Bruins need is tack on some mass.

Next: The Backups