UCLA Basketball: A look at the talent the next head coach will inherit

LAS VEGAS, NV - MARCH 09: UCLA Bruins mascot Joe Bruin poses on the court before the team's semifinal game of the Pac-12 basketball tournament against the Arizona Wildcats at T-Mobile Arena on March 9, 2018 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Wildcats won 78-67 in overtime. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
LAS VEGAS, NV - MARCH 09: UCLA Bruins mascot Joe Bruin poses on the court before the team's semifinal game of the Pac-12 basketball tournament against the Arizona Wildcats at T-Mobile Arena on March 9, 2018 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Wildcats won 78-67 in overtime. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
5 of 7
Next
(Photo by Katharine Lotze/Getty Images)
(Photo by Katharine Lotze/Getty Images) /

The Big Men

Jalen Hill (C), R-So, 6’10, 235

Cody Riley (PF), R-So, 6’9, 240

Moses Brown (C), So, 7’1, 245

One thing the former coach did right was recruit and boy did he recruited a lot of talented big men. Whoever inherits this team will already be in a good spot with these three who are all 6’9 and over.

If Brown doesn’t test the waters of the NBA Draft and returns, he will be one of the best centers in the Pac-12 (or possibly the country) next season. He still has a lot of raw talent and needs to take a step up in development (and most importantly add some mass), but for the most part, he should be a menace under the rim.

Hill and Riley have technically been with the team for two years, which is good for experience, but they have only played one season, due to the China incident. Both of them were cycled in and out of the lineup throughout the season and similar to Bernard and Singleton, these big men started to make improvements as the season went on.

Hill started to develop as a terror under the basket on the defensive end. He is very skilled with staying on the opposition and forcing players to change shots. He could also be an all-around threat if he improves on offense. Riley had some ups and downs but proved to be effective as a low-post threat. If he can improve his ball handling skills and footwork, it will only improve his other qualities.