NCAA Tournament 2023: Ranking the starting lineups of each Sweet 16 team
By Joey Loose
7. UCLA (2-seed)
Amari Bailey (Freshman – Guard)
A five-star prospect and a member of the Pac-12 All-Freshman tea, Bailey has been a decent contributor this season averaging 10.9 points and 3.8 rebounds a game for the Bruins. He’s been 36% from long-range, albeit with limited attempts, and has been effective in the Big Dance, scoring 17 points in UCLA’s first-round win over UNC Asheville before adding 14 points two days later to top Northwestern.
Adem Bona (Freshman – Forward)
Another highly-touted recruit, Bona has averaged 7.7 points and 5.3 rebounds and may be an even more important piece to this team. He was named Pac-12 Rookie of the Year and found a place on the conference’s All-Defense team, establishing himself on both sides of the ball, sitting 4th in the Pac-12 in blocks as well. After missing the first Tourney game with his shoulder injury, he had 6 points and contributed against Northwestern, hoping to get fully healthy moving forward.
Tyger Campbell (Senior – Guard)
One of the best point guards the Pac-12 has seen in recent memory, Campbell collected a third straight First Team All-Pac-12 selection and is hoping to lead the Bruins back to the Final Four. His best offensive season saw him average 13.4 points and 4.9 assists per game and he’s already accumulated 17 assists in the Bruins’ first two Tourney games, highlighted by 10 against UNC Asheville on Thursday.
Jaime Jaquez Jr. (Senior – Guard)
Jaquez was again a major weapon at UCLA, averaging 17.5 points and 8.1 rebounds while being named a Second Team All-American. He was named Pac-12 Player of the Year and was rated highly on the defensive side of the ball as well. The Bruins’ best shooter, Jaquez had 24 points and 8 rebounds in their win over Northwestern to get back to the Sweet Sixteen again.
David Singleton (Senior – Guard)
Mostly a bench piece across five seasons with the Bruins, Singleton is averaging 9.1 points and 2.8 rebounds in his best collegiate effort. A former Top 100 recruit, he’s dealing with an ankle sprain, but should be alright down the stretch, having just scored 11 points in their opening-round victory over UNC Asheville. Singleton shoots 42% from beyond the arc and is a major weapon for the Bruins if he’s healthy.