19. UCLA Bruins
Among the highly sought-after transfer portal additions in the 2025 portal cycle was the prized addition of high-flying scorer Donovan Dent out of New Mexico. Dent averaged 20.4 PPG and 6.4 APG on nearly 50% shooting from the field and 40% shooting from behind the arc. He’ll be the go-to guy for Mick Cronin come November.
While Dent (rightfully so) steals the headlines, Mick Cronin quietly lands a handful of other quality pieces to bolster the Bruins as a legitimate top-25-worthy squad. After an underwhelming two seasons in East Lansing, Michigan State transfer Xavier Booker joins the fold looking to recapture his five-star magic that we saw on the grassroots circuit. According to reports, Booker plans to switch over to the five after primarily playing the four under Tom Izzo.
Another name to watch in the backcourt is Kansas City transfer Jamar Brown. The incoming junior averaged 17.0 PPG and 7.4 RPG while shooting 45% from the field in a high-volume role last season. Pairing Brown alongside a backcourt of Donovan Dent, Trent Perry and Skyy Clark creates a potent four-guard punch in Westwood.