With both Jaylen Hands and Kris Wilkes announcing their return to the UCLA basketball team for the 2018-19 season, Go Joe Bruin takes a look at the potential depth chart.
Things have become a little bit more sunny for the UCLA basketball team in the last 24 hours as it has been announced that both Kris Wilkes and Jaylen Hands will return to the Bruins next season.
RELATED: Kris Wilkes to Return | So is Jaylen Hands
Author’s Note: This article came out after Cody Riley announced his return to UCLA. We update the article as we take a look at his impact on the roster at the very end of this article.
Having both return to the team gives UCLA five players with college basketball experience for the 2018-19 season. Without them, Prince Ali, Chris Smith and Alex Olesinski would be the only three Bruins to have played minutes with the UCLA basketball team from last season. That’s not exactly what Steve Alford is looking for.
So with Hands and Wilkes returning, as I have been saying all morning long, this is a big deal. Let us take a look at why that is…
Potential 2018-19 UCLA Basketball Depth Chart
| 1/Point Guard | 2/Shotting Guard | 3/Small Forward | 4/Power Forward | 5/Center |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jaylen Hands | Prince Ali | Kris Wilkes | Jalen Hill | Moses Brown |
| Tyger Campbell | David Singleton | Chris Smith | Alex Olesinski | Kenny Nwuba |
| Jules Bernard |
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The return of Hands and Wilkes brings depth, especially at the point guard spot. If Hands did not come back to Westwood, UCLA would be in trouble with Campbell being the only PG on the roster. We no longer have to worry about that.
With Wilkes returning, the Bruins also have a “stretch 4”, though he will most likely see time at the 3 spot. Wilkes’ shot and ability to score is key to the Bruins’ success next season as he can find the basket in the paint and from long-range. Not only does that take the pressure off of guys like Smith, Singleton and Bernard, but also returns height to a thin frontcourt.
Going back to the shooting guard position, though this is a depth chart (a projected one at that), this is the most flexible position head coach Steve Alford has because of the number of players and their skill set. Though there are three players for one position, we should see all of them play extensive minutes next season.
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The thing about in-coming freshman Singleton and Bernard is that they are quite versatile. Not only are they decent ball handlers, but can also consistently shoot the rock with success, which means they can play point (if needed, though Hands’ return solves that problem) and the 3 spot, which is more likely, especially if the Bruins play small. But if Ali does not improve over the summer, I can see both freshman getting more minutes than the junior-to-be.
Both Hill and Brown should start from the get-go, and I can foresee them playing a lot of minutes due to depth. UCLA was suppose to have backup, but the way it looks (though not finalized), PF Cody Riley and PF Shareef O’Neal might not be on the roster in the fall (academics seems to be the culprit here).
With that in mind, Alford is going to need to develop Olesinki and Nwuba (and Smith, if he is forced to play down low). If UCLA gets hit with injuries or foul trouble in the front court at some point next season, these three players are going to be vital to the Bruins’ survival.
Though it could be better, it could have been a lot worse. Now it is time to focus on winning the Pac-12.
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UPDATE! With Cody Riley announcing his return, here is what the depth chart could look like:
Potential 2018-19 UCLA Basketball Depth Chart w/Riley
| 1/Point Guard | 2/Shotting Guard | 3/Small Forward | 4/Power Forward | 5/Center |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jaylen Hands | Prince Ali | Kris Wilkes | Cody Riley | Moses Brown |
| Tyger Campbell | David Singleton | Chris Smith | Alex Olesinski | Jalen Hill |
| Jules Bernard | Kenny Nwuba |
The addition of Riley really helps out the depth in the front court. not only do the Bruins have another power forward, but they have a reliable backup at center. Though Brown has the talent to start, there is a possibility Hill, with a year in the UCLA basketball program already under his belt, could get the start. Either way, this is great for the Bruins who now have 12 scholarship players available.