Donovan Dent is looking to work his way onto NBA Draft radars

Donovan Dent transferred to UCLA during the 2025 portal season. Coming over from New Mexico after a successful three-year stint there. It was a chance for dent to get closer to home and also improve his NBA Draft stock. UCLA is known for sending players to the NBA. Especially guards, as you look at the rich history that they have. This was a perfect opportunity for Dent.

Now, with that opportunity, he needs to start to put it all together to make it reality. Dent isn’t on many mock drafts yet for the 2026 NBA Draft. But that doesn’t mean it cannot change based on the season. He has the chance to shore up his game and move up draft boards quickly. Defensive mindset, shot selection, jump shooting and free throw percentage are key areas for improvement.

We all know how talented of a player Dent is. He has a very smart IQ and can score the basketball as well as set up others. But he struggles at times with his jump shooting, which is not a good attribute to have. With the NBA becoming very jump shot friendly. Having a good shot selection and being able to knock that down is key. This is something Dent will have the opportunity to improve in Big Ten play against some really good defenses.

Defense is another area that needs to improve also. Sometimes he seems disengaged on that end. Cronin who is known for tough defense is the perfect coach for him. The positive is it is there. He has shown improvements from a disastrous first game against Eastern Washington. He will need to continue improving and the opponents on the schedule will give him the opportunity to see if it paid off.

Dent is a phenomenal talent. Sometimes challenge brings out the best in players. There is no reason to believe he cannot improve on his game. Continuing a legacy of UCLA guards going to the NBA and having excellent careers. The first test starts against California. Then onto Big Ten play against some of the best teams in the country.