UCLA Basketball: The 25 Greatest Bruins of all time

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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24. Arron Afflalo, G (2004-07)

Why Afflalo is on this list…

If Ben Howland needed someone to completely shut down the opponent’s best player, there was no other choice than Arron Afflalo. Part of Howland’s first recruiting class (along with Jordan Farmar, Josh Shipp, and Lorenzo Mata), Afflalo was the prototypical Howland defensive player.

He could score when needed, but his best quality was his defense. Though defense is not exactly exciting, Afflalo made it so that he would suffocate ball handlers and take them out of their rhythm. Not only that, but he was a fiery player that would get the crowds going.

Afflalo helped the Bruins to two of three consecutive Final Fours, the first time that has happened for a UCLA basketball team since John Wooden did it from 1973-75.

UCLA Career Stats

FG%: .457
3FG%: .373
FT%: .781
Rebs/gm: 3.5
Total Rebs: 360
Pts/gm: 14.8
Total Pts: 1540

Key Accomplishments

Pac-10 Champs: 2006, 2007
All-American: 2007
Pac-10 POY: 2007
All-Pac-10: 2006, 2007

Though he never won an NCAA Championship, he left a defensive legacy. His talents eventually got him to the NBA where he has played since he was drafted in 2007.