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UCLA Basketball: The 10 best men’s basketball players since 2000

By Mike Regalado

LOS ANGELES, CA - JANUARY 29: Norman Powell #4 of the UCLA Bruins celebrates after the game against the Utah Utes at Pauley Pavilion on January 29, 2015 in Los Angeles, California. UCLA won 69-59. (Photo by Stephen Dunn/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA - JANUARY 29: Norman Powell #4 of the UCLA Bruins celebrates after the game against the Utah Utes at Pauley Pavilion on January 29, 2015 in Los Angeles, California. UCLA won 69-59. (Photo by Stephen Dunn/Getty Images) /
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DAYTON, OH – MARCH 13: Aaron Holiday #3 of the UCLA Bruins reacts against the St. Bonaventure Bonnies during the first half of the First Four game in the 2018 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament at UD Arena on March 13, 2018 in Dayton, Ohio. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)
DAYTON, OH – MARCH 13: Aaron Holiday #3 of the UCLA Bruins reacts against the St. Bonaventure Bonnies during the first half of the First Four game in the 2018 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament at UD Arena on March 13, 2018 in Dayton, Ohio. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) /

8. Aaron Holiday (2015-18)

Career Stats: 14.3 ppg, 3.2 rpg, 4.7 apg, 1.2 spg, FG% .450

Holiday had a role all three years he was in Westwood, and he stuck to it. He was a starter his freshman year, but had to take a back seat to Lonzo Ball in his sophomore year. Though he might have hid his displeasure, he never let it affect his game as he was the spark UCLA needed off the bench in that 2016-17 season when the Bruins went 31-5.

Holiday was once again inserted into the starting lineup this past season and was a workhorse. For the majority of the season he put the squad on his back as he averaged 20.3 ppg, the most in the Pac-12. With all the youth UCLA had on the team (and the lack of depth due to the China shoplifting incident), the Bruins did not have a lot in their arsenal, but they had Holiday.

Whether it was on the offensive or defensive side of the court, Holiday was ready for ever challenge. Though the Bruins had an underwhelming 21-12 finish, Holiday was able to pull UCLA through several difficult wins which included Kentucky, a win at Arizona and a sweep of USC.

That production has helped him elevate his game to where he looks to be taken in the mid-to-late first round of the 2018 NBA Draft. Whoever gets him, is getting a good one.