UCLA Bruins
I’ve talked about teams that have NBA Draft prospects’ decisions to wait on but the most extreme situation is UCLA. Currently, all five starters are in the draft process, and they each could come back for another year. However, there has been talk that all could stay in the draft and leave the Pac-12 program high and dry.
Seniors Tyger Campbell and Jaime Jaquez are currently the least likely to come back, while injured wing Jaylen Clark and freshman big man Adem Bona are the most likely to come back. And freshman guard Amari Bailey could go either way. The program also has lost a few reserves to the transfer portal, most notably, Mac Etienne and Abramo Canka.
Right now, the only transfer pickup for the Bruins is Lazar Stefanović, a 6’7 shooting guard from Utah that’s a sharpshooter. And they also added top-30 international guard, Ilane Fibleuil which will help in case Bailey stays in the draft.
But UCLA is going to lose at least a few starters and the main concern is center and wing. Unless the two incoming freshmen forwards (Brandon Williams and Devin Williams), the frontcourt could be a real issue for them next season. You have to feel for Coach Mick Cronin since there are so many uncertainties but hopefully, they have backup plans if it goes against them.