Malick Kordel provides intriguing upside as traditional big man for UCLA

If UCLA wants to continue bringing in international players. As they have gone out early in the portal and gotten Sergej Macura and Filip Jović. Malick Kordel could be a very intriguing player to go after for the Bruins. He is 7’2 and fits the mold of a traditional big man. Last season he played at Michigan very sparingly only averaging 1.2 points and 1.5 rebounds per game. He is a freshman that will have three years of eligibility remaining.

Kordel played professionally in Germany before coming over to Michigan last season. He played very well in the German Pro B league averaging 11.9 points, 8.4 rebounds and 1.8 blocks per game. Proving to have high upside on both offense and defense. Michigan was absolutely loaded this past season and it’s a reason why they won the championship. Kordel was behind former Bruin Aday Mara on the depth chart.

Kordel with a good opportunity at minutes can be a very productive player. Him having three years of eligibility remaining allow allows him to grow within a new system as well. He can build consistency under a new coaching staff that can un tap his potential. The positive is he has shown it in Germany and there is reason to believe it can translate to the college level as well. Especially being 275 pounds and moving the way he does with athleticism.

UCLA was rumored to have interest in a traditional big man this offseason. Many would want UCLA to go after a guy like Magoon Gwath, but NIL amount will be interesting to see. Someone like Kordel allows UCLA to go younger and start to build their roster for multiple years of competing. There is some great talent in the portal, but a lot of them will be juniors and seniors. Maybe a new approach for this team could be good.