The Go Joe Bruin 2016-17 UCLA Basketball Preview (Men’s)
Roster & Projected Line-up
| Number | Name | Position | Ht. | Wt. | Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0 | Alex Olesinski | F | 6’10” | 200 | So. |
| 2 | Lonzo Ball | G | 6’6″ | 190 | Fr. |
| 3 | Aaron Holiday | G | 6’1″ | 185 | So. |
| 4 | Isaac Wulff | G | 6’3″ | 175 | Fr. |
| 5 | Armani Dodson | G | 6’5″ | 190 | Fr. |
| 10 | Isaac Hamilton | G | 6’5″ | 195 | Sr. |
| 13 | Ike Anigbogu | F/C | 6’10” | 250 | Fr. |
| 14 | Gyorgy Goloman | F | 6’11” | 215 | Jr. |
| 15 | Jerrold Smith | G | 6’0″ | 165 | Sr. |
| 20 | Bryce Alford | G | 6’3″ | 185 | Sr. |
| 21 | Alec Wulff | G | 6’3″ | 185 | Jr. |
| 22 | TJ Leaf | F | 6’10” | 225 | Fr. |
| 23 | Prince Ali | G | 6’3″ | 190 | So. |
| 34 | Ikenna Okwarabizie | C | 6’9″ | 250 | Jr. |
| 40 | Thomas Welsh | C | 7’0″ | 245 | Jr. |
Projected Line-Up
Starters: PG Lonzo Ball, G Isaac Hamilton, G Bryce Alford, C Thomas Welsh, PF T. J. Leaf
Bench: PG Aaron Holiday, SG Prince Ali, F Gyorgy Goloman, F Alex Olesinski, F/C Ike Anigbogu, C Ikenna Okwarabizie
The college basketball gods giveth and the college basketball gods taketh away. A year ago it looked like UCLA was going to have one of the deepest teams in the Alford era. After 5-star power forward T.J. Leaf committed, the Bruins were over the 13 scholarsbip limit.
How were Bruins going to balance this out? By pulling Bryce Alford’s scholarship and making him a walk-on. As great of a plan as it was, UCLA did not have to go this route. As a matter of fact, they did not even come close to it.
After last season, junior guard Noah Allen transferred to Hawaii. In the summer, less than a week into his time at UCLA, freshman Kobe Paras left the university due to academic concerns. A few weeks after that, sophomore Jonah Bolden left the program to go play professionally in his native Australia.
C’Est la Vie.
But the cupboard is not bare UCLA fans. The Bruins have a full squad that, when healthy, could have a solid eight-man rotation. The veterans of that group, who are also the top three returning scorers, Isaac Hamilton, Bryce Alford and Thomas Welsh accounted for 56.5% of the scoring last season. With all three projected as starters, the Bruins will need to continue to rely on them for scoring. The good news is, they are not alone.
Go Joe Bruin projects that the two players starting with the vets will be freshmen Ball and Leaf. Ball is one of the best point guards coming out of high school while Leaf is one of the best low post scorers. Together, all five will lead an uptempo style of play.
Holiday will be the most important player that does not start. He should backup Ball (though we expect Bryce Alford being thrown into the point guard mix) and will be the best defender in the back court.
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Ali, who is out with a meniscus tear until (at the earliest) late November, will bring some speed and a hot hand off the bench.
Another crucial injury will have Anigbogu out for about a month, also with a meniscus tear. When healthy, he will most likely back up Welsh. Anigbogu might just be your new favorite player as he hustles and brings a fire to the front court, Ben Howland-style. Not only does he attack the rim with ferocity, but will bring some much needed defense.
Goloman is a big question mark. He could contribute this season but how much is unknown. Last season his development was hampered by a stress fracture in his leg and he never seemed to be in rhythm. Olesinki and Okwarabizie were at times out of sync with the team and played minimally last season. Unless they have a dramatic improvement in their development, their roles will stay the same this season.
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