UCLA Basketball Top 20 Players of All Time: No. 20

His UCLA career lasted just one season, but this former Bruin made an impact few players could match.

Dec 21, 2022; Los Angeles, California, USA; The UCLA Bruins logo at center court at Pauley Pavilion presented by Wescom. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports | USA TODAY Sports

Welcome to the top 20 UCLA players in history countdown!

Over the next several weeks, we’ll be counting down the top 20 UCLA players to ever come through the Bruins program. Starting with No. 20, the list will backtrack until we reach the top spot.

When ranking the best 20 Bruins, it’s important to establish the criteria that determine where players rank on the list. For me, a blend of college accolades (championships, Final Fours, No. 1 rankings) and individual accolades (stats, awards) will take priority in the weight of the ranking.

Dec 3, 2024; Los Angeles, California, USA; The Big Ten Confernce B1G logo on the court at Pauley Pavilion presented by Wescom. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images | USA TODAY Sports via Reuters Connect

NBA success and overall influence will also be taken into consideration, but on a smaller scale. 

However, this first Bruin coming in at No. 20 is banking on the influential side of things heavily, as he is one of the most influential Bruins to ever play at UCLA. 

UCLA Basketball Top 20 Players of All Time: No. 20 Lonzo Ball

Feb 3, 2026; Los Angeles, California, USA; Former UCLA Bruins Lonzo Ball is introduced to the crowd as the team's honorary captain for the game against the Rutgers Scarlet Knights at Pauley Pavilion presented by Wescom Financial. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

Now, initially, many people will think Ball’s one year at UCLA isn’t worth a top-20 mention, and they may have a point to be made if the stats and accolades of the team are the only things considered. 

Ball’s influence in that period of basketball was truly something special. His lone season in Westwood was something all basketball fans could appreciate, as he put together a fan-favorite year that was one of the best guard seasons of all time. 

Jan 14, 2017; Salt Lake City, UT, USA; UCLA Bruins guard Lonzo Ball (2) dribbles up the court during the first half against the Utah Utes at Jon M. Huntsman Center. Mandatory Credit: Russ Isabella-USA TODAY Sports | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

Although he didn’t bring a championship to UCLA, his stats spoke for themselves. He started all 36 games for the Bruins, averaging 14.6 points, 7.6 assists, 6.0 rebounds, 1.8 steals, and shooting 55% from the field. 

Awards at UCLA

In addition to his stats that season, he took home a plethora of awards. Ball was named a First Team All-American, AP First Team All-American, and NABC First Team All-American.

Jan 19, 2019; Houston, TX, USA; Los Angeles Lakers guard Lonzo Ball (2) drives with the ball during the third quarter against the Houston Rockets at Toyota Center. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports | USA TODAY Sports

Lonzo then went on to be the second overall pick to the Los Angeles Lakers, staying home to continue his basketball journey. 

While his NBA journey up to this point may not have lived up to the initial expectations, his time in college certainly had an impact on many young guards in the country. This was mainly due to lingering injuries that had a constant effect.

While Ball didn’t bring many team accomplishments to Westwood, and his time at UCLA was very limited, I think his lone year for the Bruins was special enough to land him at No. 20 on the list.