UCLA Basketball: 2 Highly Touted Freshmen Reportedly Not Yet Cleared to Play by NCAA

The NCAA and its bureaucracy can be a finicky entity at times.

As UCLA has learned over the last two seasons, pursuing international prospects can lead to a few hiccups. Last year, Adem Bona -- a native of Nigeria who played much of his high school career overseas in Turkey -- was forced to sit out a game last year in accordance with NCAA rules before becoming eligible.

This year, the eligibility monster is rearing its ugly head yet again. Reportedly, the incoming freshmen big man duo of Aday Mara and Berke Buyuktuncel have yet to be officially cleared by the NCAA for action.

Mick Cronin said two international freshmen have not been cleared by the NCAA but he remained hopeful. They’re believed to be Aday Mara and Berke Buyuktuncel.
— Ben Bolch (@latbbolch) October 27, 2023

UCLA head coach Mick Cronin addressed this issue during a media scrum after practice on Friday morning. While he didn't sound too stressed about the issue, it doesn't appear as if either Mara or Buyuktuncel will suit up for Tuesday's exhibition game versus Cal State Dominguez Hills on Halloween night.

LA Times reporter Ben Bolch delved into the topic further, which included the amateurism issues surrounding Mara in particular.

UCLA still awaiting NCAA clearance on freshmen Aday Mara and Berke Buyuktuncel https://t.co/6tqSryYS25
— Ben Bolch (@latbbolch) October 27, 2023

Both Mara and Buyuktuncel played professionally in their native countries of Spain and Turkey, respectively. In Mara's case -- according to Bolch -- he was sued by his team in Spanish court for a breach of contract (when Mara decided to leave Basket Zaragoza in favor of UCLA).

This isn't an ideal situation for UCLA of course. Having both big men on the court available is key for the development of the team and its chances to be a competitive entity this year. Mara is a highly-touted prospect (as is Buyuktuncel). Each player is projected to be an NBA player sooner rather than later.

With that said, assuming this is just a minor snag, in the best-case scenario the two will miss the exhibition game and perhaps the season opener on Nov. 6 against Saint Francis (PA). This would in theory still give Buyuktuncel and Mara two regular season games (Lafayette, Long Island University) before the Bruins head to Hawaii to square off against a loaded Maui Invitational field

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