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UCLA Basketball: Tuesday’s big recruiting day and needs for the future

By Mike Regalado

LEXINGTON, KY - DECEMBER 03: Head coach Steve Alford of the UCLA Bruins reacts in the first half of the game against the Kentucky Wildcats at Rupp Arena on December 3, 2016 in Lexington, Kentucky. UCLA defeated Kentucky 97-92. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)
LEXINGTON, KY - DECEMBER 03: Head coach Steve Alford of the UCLA Bruins reacts in the first half of the game against the Kentucky Wildcats at Rupp Arena on December 3, 2016 in Lexington, Kentucky. UCLA defeated Kentucky 97-92. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) /
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On Tuesday, the UCLA basketball team landed two key ballers which have propelled them to the top of the recruiting class rankings and setting them up for the future, but what else do they need?

BOOM X2! If you did not hear, the UCLA basketball team had a fantastic Tuesday as two players committed to the 2019 class. Two small forwards are making their way to Westwood as Jaime Jaquez and Jake Kyman have given their verbals to the Bruins. It was the first day UCLA had received a commitment since October 30, 2017. That was when 4-star combo guard Grant Sherfield committed.

RECENT COMMITMENTS: 4★ SF Jaime Jaquez | 3★ SF Jake Kyman

With the two new commits attaching themselves to UCLA, the Bruins have moved up to the #1 spot in the 247Sports 2019 recruiting class rankings, leapfrogging Kentucky for the top spot.

This also sets up UCLA nicely for the future and adds to the small forward/wing depth. As of now, the Bruins are good with guards and deep with big men. Having long players that can shoot and stretch the defense is something that would fit in nicely with UCLA’s fast paced offense. Yes, defense is still a concern, but at this point we just have to hope for the best in that department.

Questions also emerged after lead recruiter David Grace was let go last month. Could the Bruins keep up the high level of recruiting with their top assistant out (and now with Cal)? Apparently.

Related Story: Three Bruins headed to the NBA Combine

UCLA Basketball Scholarship Availability

  • Seniors (0):
  • Juniors (2): SG Prince Ali, PF Alex Olesinski
  • Sophomores (3): PG Jaylen Hands, F Kris Wilkes, F Chris Smith
  • Freshmen (8): PG Tyger Campbell, SG David Singleton III, SG Jules Bernards, PF Cody Riley (RS), PF Shareef O’Neal, C Jalen Hill (RS), C Moses Brown, C Kenny Nwuba
  • 2019 Commits (3): G Grant Sherfield, SF Jaime Jaquez, SF Jake Kyman

Related Story: What UCLA would look like without one-and-dones

If everyone stays in place for the next season, the Bruins will be at their 13 scholarship limit which includes Hands, Wilkes and Riley. All three are currently testing the waters of the NBA Draft and have not hired an agent, though it would not surprise me if one or all leave Westwood, .

But if they stay, that means at least three players need to move on by the end of next season (possibly more if the Bruins bring in additional 2019 recruits). Obviously, the top candidates will again be Hands, Wilkes and Riley, but pending a good 2018-19 season, we could possibly see Brown and O’Neal look toward the NBA Draft.

By the way, the current 2018 class has signed letters of intent from everyone except O’Neal. Though he has delayed the process (apparently grades are not the issue), word is that he still intends to go to UCLA.

So with all of this calamity, where does UCLA go after the 2018-19 season?

The Bruins have a lot of big men, so there is not a huge need there, but that does not mean they should look away from the front court players.

The Bruins are currently in the mix for Chino Hills product, 4-star center Onyeka Okongwu, who has USC and UCLA as his top choices. Another top target is 5-star Will Baker out of Austin , TX, who UCLA is currently in a recruiting battle with UNC and Texas for the center’s services. The Bruins are also looking at 4-star power forward Isaiah Mobley, though he seems to be a heavy USC lean. Either way, UCLA needs at least one more big man in the 2019 class.

The 2019 priority, in my opinion, seems to be locking up another point guard. This becomes even more of a priority if Hands leaves before next season. That leaves freshman Tyger Campbell to handle the majority of PG duties. And if Campbell has a break out season, there is a good chance he too explores the option of the NBA Draft, that will leave zero point guards for the 2019-20 season.

One of the biggest Bruin targets lies with 4-star Garland, TX native Tyrese Maxey, who has an offer from UCLA, but might have other interests, primarily Kentucky. Beyond that, according to 247Sports.com, the Bruins do not have any other point guards highly-targeted.

Next: UCLA Basketball: The Top 10 Recruiting Classes Since 2000

Landing a floor general will definitely be a bigger concern after we see what happens with Hands, but right now UCLA basketball is moving in the right directions with recruiting. Now to try and fix other parts of the program in need of some TLC.