UCLA Basketball Top 20 Players of All Time: No. 18

We’re continuing on with the countdown of the top 20 Bruins of all time!

Taking into account individual accolades, team success, NBA success, and overall influence, we’ll determine the 20 best players to ever come through the UCLA program’s storied history.

UCL — Nov 15, 2024; Los Angeles, California, USA; The Big Ten conference logo on the court at Pauley Pavilion presented by Wescom. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images | USA TODAY Sports via Reuters Connect

Today’s Bruin has become one of the more recognizable names on this list and put together an impressive resume during his four seasons as a Bruin.

Mar 22, 2026; Philadelphia, PA, USA; UCLA Bruins head coach Mick Cronin reacts against the UConn Huskies in the first half during a second round game of the men's 2026 NCAA Tournament at Xfinity Mobile Arena. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

UCLA Basketball Top 20 Players of All Time: No. 18 Pooh Richardson

Pooh Richardson may not have a championship resume like some of the other players on this list, but his individual accolades and the stats he accumulated while at UCLA are impossible to overlook.

Richardson was a four-year starter for the Bruins from 1985-89, even starting 24 games his freshman season and averaging double-digit points and over six assists per game, earning him a spot on the Pac-10 All-Freshman Team and winning Pac-10 Rookie of the Year.

PC 1 — Feb 18, 2024; Los Angeles, California, USA; The Pac-12 Conference logo on the court at Pauley Pavilion presented by Wescom. Utah defeated UCLA 70-69. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports | USA TODAY Sports via Reuters Connect

He also earned First Team All-Pac-10 honors in three consecutive seasons from 1987 to1989, and was the Bruins' team MVP in both 1988 and 1989. Aside from the awards and accolades, the biggest argument Richardson has in his favor is his playmaking ability.

He finished his time at UCLA with 833 assists, which still stands as the program's all-time record and ranks 38th all-time in NCAA history. He also ended his UCLA run as the career leader in steals (now fifth) and three-point percentage. It’s hard to leave a player off of an all-time list that still holds as many records as Richardson does today.

Nov 30, 2023; Los Angeles, California, USA; The Pac-12 Conference logo on the court at Pauley Pavilion presented by Wescom. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports | USA TODAY Sports via Reuters Connect

Those 833 assists are what push Richardson onto this list, as he averaged 6.8 assists per game over the course of his career. His senior season was exceptional, during which he averaged 15.2 points and 7.6 assists per game, the highest marks of his career.

NBA Success

Feb 15, 2014; New Orleans, LA, USA; A view of the NBA logo at the NBA All Star Jam Session at the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

However, Richardson also had some significant NBA success, especially compared to other Bruins on this list. He was drafted with the 10th overall pick in the 1989 NBA Draft by the Minnesota Timberwolves. He immediately got off to a strong start in the league, as he made the NBA All-Rookie First Team, averaging 11.4 points and 6.8 assists in his first season with the Timberwolves.

His professional career would ultimately last 10 seasons, during which he averaged 11.1 points and 6.5 assists per game.

Overall, Richardson’s time as a Bruin was highlighted by his playmaking ability, statistical dominance, and professional success. Richardson has done more than enough on his resume to warrant a top-20 spot as an all-time Bruin.

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