With the UCLA Basketball team finding success in recruiting, there are a few other stars that could be coming to Westwood in 2018.
UCLA Basketball Head Coach Steve Alford and staff did a great job stocking the roster for this upcoming season. His hand was forced after the Bruins lost six players (including walk-on Jerrold Smith) to either graduation or the NBA Draft.
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According to espn.com, the Bruins are bringing in the #4 class which includes two 5-star and three 4-star athletes. A few of these freshmen such as Jaylen Hands and Kris Wilkes will be called on right away to contribute.
But the problem with bringing in such highly touted recruits is that they could end up being one-and-done.
After next season, I can see six Bruins leaving and maybe one more freshman if Chris Smith, Cody Riley, or Jalen Hill have a great year. Remember that most people thought center Ike Anigbogu would return but he ended up leaving and getting drafted in the second round of the 2017 NBA Draft.
So far the 2018 recruiting class has yet to impress. As of today, UCLA has only one player, David Singleton III, committed for the 2018-19 season. That would leave a huge hole for Alford to fill in the next two years.
With that in mind, let’s take at a few recruits UCLA is going after (along with many other schools) to fill in their 2018-19 roster:
Tre Jones, PG
Apple Valley High School Apple Valley, MN
After this season, the Bruins could see both of their points guards leaving Westwood. Aaron Holiday is a lock to leave and incoming freshman Jaylen Hands could also be gone. At 6’3”, Hands has the size the NBA looks for. A strong year at UCLA could put him in the first round of the 2019 draft. NBAdraftroom.com has Hands going 20th in their early 2019 mock draft.
Last year Jones put up great numbers averaging
24.3 points, 10.5 rebounds, and 7.7 assists
for Apple Valley HS. In Alford’s offense, Jones would have the opportunity to push the ball while showing off his shooting and passing skills.
Right now according to 247sports.com, Jones is leaning towards Duke but still has UCLA on his radar.
As the #3 PG in the country, it may be difficult for the Bruins to pull this Minnesota native to the West coast. But remember that Alford nabbed 5 star Kris Wilkes out of Indiana so anything is possible.
Bol Bol, C
Mater Dei High School Santa Ana, CA
Bol played a limited role for the Monarchs last year after transferring mid-season from Bishop Miege HS in Kansas. In a handful of games, the 7’1” center averaged nearly 19 points, 7.5 rebounds, and 3 blocks in limited minutes.
According to nbadraftroom.com, “(Bol) has surprising coordination and speed for a lanky youngster and a developing offensive skill set. He can step out and shoot threes and has a nice release on his shot, which is nearly impossible to block due to his height.”
Already sought after by bluebloods such as Kansas and Kentucky, UCLA could remain in the mix as a local favorite. In an article by Ricky O’Donnell from SB Nation, Bol was asked what was better about living in Orange County instead of suburban Kansas City.
“Everything,” he said.
Looking at UCLA’s roster after this year, Bol would be the only center on the team. Even though his talent is still raw, he would be able to step in and start right away.
Marvin Bagley III, PF/C
Sierra Canyon High School Chatsworth, CA
The 6’11” Bagley is easily the star of the 2018 class. Last season he put up 24.4 points and 9.7 rebounds a game while leading Sierra Canyon to the CIF Open Division semifinals.
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He has advanced skills on offense and, according to nbadraftroom.com, “can change the game with his defensive presence in the lane.”
Already projected by some to be the first pick in the 2019 NBA Draft, Bagley’s caliber of talent could take UCLA to the next level.
UCLA remains one of Bagley’s choices. A strong push by Alford and Co. this year could keep this top talent in Southern California. It also doesn’t hurt that fellow Sierra Canyon teammate Cody Riley has already committed to the Bruins for this season.
It may be easy for these and other high school stars to choose Kentucky, Duke, or Kansas thinking that this will increase their chances of being drafted. And it might. But UCLA also sends a good number of players to the NBA. Since 2010, UCLA leads the Pac-10/12 with players drafted in both the first round (9) and overall (13).
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A deep run into the NCAA tournament and two or three players taken in the first round of next year’s draft could go a long way for UCLA’s future. This would make a strong case for themselves as a top school in the West for players looking to showcase their talents and ready themselves for the jump to the NBA.