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UCLA Basketball: Projecting starters for the Bruins in 2017-18

By Lukas Harkins

LOS ANGELES, CA - DECEMBER 21: Head coach Steve Alford of the UCLA Bruins reacts during the game against the Western Michigan Broncos at Pauley Pavilion on December 21, 2016 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Tim Bradbury/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA - DECEMBER 21: Head coach Steve Alford of the UCLA Bruins reacts during the game against the Western Michigan Broncos at Pauley Pavilion on December 21, 2016 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Tim Bradbury/Getty Images) /
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LOS ANGELES, CA – DECEMBER 21: Head coach Steve Alford of the UCLA Bruins reacts during the game against the Western Michigan Broncos at Pauley Pavilion on December 21, 2016 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Tim Bradbury/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA – DECEMBER 21: Head coach Steve Alford of the UCLA Bruins reacts during the game against the Western Michigan Broncos at Pauley Pavilion on December 21, 2016 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Tim Bradbury/Getty Images) /

UCLA basketball has a lot to replace from last season, but they can get it done. Which players will make the starting lineup for 2017-18?

There are very few programs in the country that can reload quite like UCLA basketball will this season. The Bruins lost Lonzo Ball, Ike Anigbogu, T.J. Leaf, Bryce Alford, and Isaac Hamilton. For one of the most high-powered offenses in the country last season (89.9 points per game, second in the nation), this is a big deal. In fact, with those five players no longer with the program, head coach Steve Alford will need to replace a whopping 71.2% of his scoring from last season.

In fact, with those five players no longer with the program, head coach Steve Alford will need to replace a whopping 71.2% of their scoring last season.

Nonetheless, UCLA basketball will enter this season as a preseason top-25 team and this is due to their ridiculous recruiting class. Rated fifth in the country by 247Sports, the Bruins are bringing in six recruits in their class of 2017. Headlining this group are four top-100 players to go with two other three-star recruits.

And if you thought that just because Lonzo Ball left UCLA for the NBA you would hear the end of the LaVar talk during the late Pac-12 game, you would be mistaken. LiAngelo, younger brother of Lonzo, Ball is coming to campus as a three-star recruit this season. Although not as highly-touted as either of his brothers, LiAngelo will certainly get some playing time.

As for the starters, though, this team will be very young anchored by a strong veteran presence inside. Let’s take a look at the potential starting lineup for this UCLA basketball season and what they might bring to the table.

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