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UCLA Basketball: The 25 Greatest Bruins of all time

By Mike Regalado

LOS ANGELES, CA - JANUARY 21: Kareem Abdul-Jabbar waves to fans as he arrive to attend the UCLA Bruins and Arizona Wildcats college basketball game at Pauley Pavilion on January 21, 2017 in Los Angeles, California. Abdul-Jabbar was honored at half-time after recently receiving the Presidential Medal of Freedom, from President Barack Obama. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA - JANUARY 21: Kareem Abdul-Jabbar waves to fans as he arrive to attend the UCLA Bruins and Arizona Wildcats college basketball game at Pauley Pavilion on January 21, 2017 in Los Angeles, California. Abdul-Jabbar was honored at half-time after recently receiving the Presidential Medal of Freedom, from President Barack Obama. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images) /
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7. Sidney Wicks, G (1968-71)

Why Wicks is on this list:

Going from high school to college was a bit rocky for Wicks who did not have the grades to jump to a university. After a year at Santa Monica College, this L.A. native transferred to UCLA where he eventually earned All-Academic honors. In addition to that, he was also pretty good at basketball.

Wicks had joined John Wooden at UCLA in the middle of the legendary coach’s epic run of seven consecutive NCAA titles. When he donned the blue and gold, Wicks only added to Wooden’s already stellar roster. During his three years at UCLA, Wicks helped the Bruins go 86-4, win three straight Pac-12 titles, and of course, three national championships. On top of being an All-Pac-8 and an All-American, Wicks won multiple Player of the Year awards.

UCLA Career Stats

  • FG%: .511
  • FT%: .635
  • Rebs/gm: 9.9
  • Total Rebs: 894
  • Pts/gm: 15.8
  • Total Pts: 1423

Key Accomplishments

  • NCAA Championships: 1969, 1970, 1971
  • Pac-8 Champs: 1969, 1970, 1971
  • All-American: 1970, 1071
  • All-Pac-8: 1970, 1971
  • UCLA Athletic Hall of Fame Member: 1984
  • #35 Jersey Retired: 1996

This led to him being selected 2nd overall in the 1971 NBA Draft by the Portland Trailblazers. In that first season, he was not only an NBA All-Star but was named the Rookie of the Year. He played in the NBA until 1981, eventually moving over to the Boston Celtics and the San Diego Clippers. After his playing days were over, he joined UCLA basketball coach Walt Hazzard’s staff as an assistant from 1984-88.