Bonnie Deas will provide stingy defense and rebounding in 2026 for the Bruins

UCLA had one of the best rebounding guards in the nation in 2025 in Kiki Rice. With her graduating out and heading off to the WNBA. There was a big need at the guard position. UCLA not only had to replace rebounding, but they also had to replace defense. They did a great job in finding Bonnie Deas who plays good defense and is the best rebounding guard at nine per game as a freshman. She is expected to play a big role for UCLA in 2026.

Nobody is going to replace the production that Rice gave UCLA. She is one of the best players in school history and it all culminated in winning a championship in the end. But UCLA is thinking long-term and rebuilding this team into a contender again. Deas has three years of eligibility remaining and will be a core player along with Sienna Betts and Lena Bilić.

Deas should slot in and be a starter and will put up some good numbers for Cori Close. Nine rebounds per game at any position is really good. Let alone doing it as a 5’9 guard. This allows the Bruins to push the ball into transition right off the jump. Instead of their center getting the rebound and then getting it to the guard. That shaves off 2 to 3 seconds and leads to more fast break points.

Deas only shot 32% from the field for Arkansas in 2025. That included 24.5% from 3-point range as well. But we fully expect that number to go up in a much better operated system. Close does a fine job at getting players good looks and putting them on the move. Deas has shown she can score in bunches and we expect her to have some triple doubles in her time at UCLA as well.

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