UCLA Rebuilds Roster With Youth After Losing Top Scorers to Draft and LSU
Coach Mick Cronin replaced veteran leaders with five new players, betting on defensive intensity and raw athleticism for the 2026-27 season.
By Samir Patterson ·
UCLA men's basketball has traded its experienced core for a younger, more physical group heading into the 2026-27 season. The Bruins retained all their eligible returning players while adding five new names to address specific weaknesses exposed last year.
The roster overhaul follows a 2025-26 campaign in which UCLA finished 24-12 and lost to UConn in the NCAA Tournament Round of 32. The team ranked 49th in KenPom's defensive rating but struggled significantly on the glass, placing 228th in overall rebound percentage. Coach Mick Cronin stated that the new group competes on defense and the glass, traits he believes fit his coaching style.
Three key players departed the program before the new season. Tyler Bilodeau, who led the team with 17.6 points per game last year, graduated and was selected 43rd overall by the Brooklyn Nets in the NBA draft. Donovan Dent and Skyy Clark both transferred to LSU after receiving a fifth year of eligibility under the NCAA's new age-based model. Dent, who averaged 7.6 assists per game, initially retired from basketball but unretired to play in college. Clark, a 43% three-point shooter, also moved to Baton Rouge.
The incoming class brings a mix of international talent and domestic transfers. The most prominent addition is Nikola Kusturica, a 6-foot-9 Serbian wing. Kusturica starred in the FIBA U17 World Cup this summer, averaging 25 points, seven rebounds, and three assists in seven games. He scored 37 points in the tournament final against Team USA and won the event's Defensive MVP award.
Four other players joined the roster to bolster depth and athleticism. Azavier Robinson, a 6-foot-2 guard, transferred from Butler after missing part of his freshman year with a wrist injury. Filip Jovic, a 6-foot-8 interior player from Auburn, is described by Cronin as a ferocious player known for his rebounding and defensive switching ability.
The Bruins also added two high-profile recruits. Joe Philon, a 6-foot-8 four-star wing from Tampa Bay, was called the steal of the recruiting class by Cronin. Jaylen Petty, a 6-foot-1 sophomore guard from Texas Tech, provides offensive firepower. Petty averaged 11 points and shot 39% from three-point range in his final 15 games of the previous season.
Returning players Trent Perry, Eric Dailey Jr., and Xavier Booker will form the foundation of the lineup. Perry, a junior guard, will assume the lead guard role following the departures of Dent and Clark. Booker, a 6-foot-11 senior, shot 43.3% from deep and blocked 1.2 shots per game last year. His ability to sustain energy and improve shot-blocking is viewed as a key factor in the team's success this season.
