How Nikola Kusturica Completely Changes UCLA's Outlook

Here's what UCLA is actually getting in the 17-year-old Serbian star.

Mar 20, 2026; Philadelphia, PA, USA; UCLA Bruins head coach Mick Cronin reacts in the first half during a first round game of the men's 2026 NCAA Tournament at Xfinity Mobile Arena. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

When you’re in the middle of August and college basketball seems too far away, it’s never too early to start projecting where exactly teams can land by the time the season rolls around.

Top 25 Early Rankings Include UCLA

Unless you’re ESPN, and you acknowledge it with a ranking of the Way Too Early Top 25 Rankings, which does play out in favor of many Bruins fans. 

Dec 17, 2024; Los Angeles, California, USA; The UCLA Bruins logo at midcourt at Pauley Pavilion presented by Wescom. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images | USA TODAY Sports via Reuters Connect

ESPN included the Bruins at No. 20 overall, while noting that the addition of Nikola Kusturica was the deciding factor in including them in the ranking at all.

ESPN’s Jeff Borzello also mentioned that UCLA could have its best roster since the 2022-2023 season, and the large majority of that praise is due to Kusturica’s arrival. For a roster that is being built around a 17-year-old who has never played a game of college basketball, that tells you just how much stock is being put into this one player. 

Mar 22, 2026; Philadelphia, PA, USA; UCLA Bruins head coach Mick Cronin reacts in the second 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

For a player who won’t turn 18 until next April, UCLA has won the lottery. At the FIBA U17 World Cup, Kusturica averaged 24.6 points and 6.9 rebounds per game in seven games and won Best Defensive Player of the tournament. This highlights that he’s not only going to be a problem at one end of the court, but at both. 

This is especially exciting given that Mick Cronin is a defensive-minded head coach. In a system built on defensive effort, Kusturica will thrive, and at such a young age is something that Bruins fans cannot overlook. 

So, How Much Does He Change This UCLA Team?

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

Kusturica completely flips this team from likely unranked to 20th overall, according to ESPN. Coming in with that kind of influence can create pressure and expectations, and it is important that Kusturica doesn’t let it affect his game. 

He also joins a roster that has quite the supporting cast, as UCLA added Filip Jovic from Auburn, Azavier Robinson from Butler, and Jaylen Petty from Texas Tech. Hopefully, with that talent and the returning Bruins, they will be able to carry a good portion of the load, allowing Kusturica to play his game without the eyes of expectations and pressure to attempt to collapse on him. 

Mar 19, 2026; Philadelphia, PA, USA; UCLA Bruins head coach Mick Cronin speaks with the media before a practice session ahead of the first round of the men's 2026 NCAA Tournament at Xfinity Mobile Arena. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

After a run of disappointing years for Bruins basketball, Kusturica is exactly what Mick Cronin needs to be able to get UCLA back to where they belong and instill the standard back in the blue and gold.