UCLA Basketball: 15 best former UCLA basketball players who had the best NBA careers

List of the 15 best UCLA basketball NBA careers in Bruins history.

These players all had what is considered successful NBA careers by many people who follow the NBA. Including but not limited to, here are the criteria for those on the list: Winning championships, earning All-Star honors, and making significant contributions to their teams while playing in the NBA.

They are all considered to be among the best players in UCLA basketball history, and their accomplishments have helped to make the Bruins one of the most successful programs in college basketball. Let’s take a look at some of the specific criteria and traits which make these 15 players who had careers in the NBA separate from other players who were not included in this list.

Some many traits and reasons can be made for these former UCLA Bruin players’ success in the NBA. Some of the most important include but are not limited to the following nine traits.

Physical attributes: Most of these players were and are at the top of their physical game when they played and or are still currently playing in the NBA, and they needed it to be able to compete at a high level athletically. This includes speed, strength, jumping ability, and agility, allowing them to have good if not great careers in the NBA.

Shooting ability: In the NBA, shooting is essential for any player who wants to be successful. These 15 players needed to be able to make shots from all over the court, including from three-point range or for some of these players on this list who played before the installation of the three-point line, making mid to long-range jump shots. Some exceptions like traditional centers are on this list but were not great outside jump shooters.

Ball-handling skills: NBA players need to be able to dribble the ball effectively to create scoring opportunities for themselves and their teammates. This is especially true for the guards on this list whose ball-handling skills allowed them to excel in the NBA. Most of these players also needed and or are still showing the ability to be able to make quick decisions with the ball in their hands.

Passing ability: Good passers are essential in the NBA, as they can help to create open shots for their teammates as most of these players on the list have shown during their time as a NBA player. These players were and for those still playing in the NBA can make accurate passes in traffic or while posting up and finding their open teammates.

Defensive skills: These former and current NBA players on this list were able to defend at a high level to be successful. This includes them being able to guard multiple positions, stay in front of their man, and rebound. Even for the centers on this list, to be able to guard various big men in the paint and even sometimes on the perimeter.

Mental toughness: The NBA is a demanding league, and players current and present needed to be able to handle the pressure and stay focused to be effective and efficient on both ends of the court. They also needed to be able to bounce back from mistakes and keep their composure and being able to contribute in the fourth quarter.

Leadership qualities: Some of the best former and current NBA players on this list are and were also leaders on their teams. They were able to motivate their teammates and set a good example to follow for the team to have success on the court.

Hardworking and dedicated: These players were willing to put in the time and effort to improve their game throughout their NBA career and some of the current players on this list may continue to improve on these two traits.

Coachable: To be and have been successful in the NBA, these players were and are willing to listen to feedback from their coaches and teammates and accept constructive criticism and grow and improve from the suggestions that were given to them on how to be a better player on the court.

Resilient:  One of the most overlooked factors in being able to be successful in the NBA is to be resilient and to overcome any obstacle and or challenge to play multiple meaningful seasons in the NBA. Most of these players were able to overcome setbacks and kept working towards their goals.

Of course, not all of the former UCLA basketball players who were very successful as a Bruin had all these traits while in the NBA. Many other factors contribute to a player’s success and or non-success, such as injuries, the team they were drafted to, and their personal development on the court. However, having the right combination of these nine traits and qualities gave these 15 players the opportunity and tools to succeed in the NBA after they had played at UCLA.

There are 15 former UCLA basketball players who by most accounts are considered the 15 players who had the most successful NBA careers. They are other players who had excellent basketball careers at UCLA but did not have as much success in the NBA as the 15 players listed here.