UCLA Basketball: Mick Cronin Believes Current Bruin Is Better Athlete Than Recent Draft Pick Jaime Jaquez

With the UCLA Bruins opening up their season, it means a new era of UCLA basketball is here. Gone are the long-time players in the program, and it’s now time for a new crop of talent to take this team however far it can go.

UCLA has a ton of younger players on the roster this season, and they are being led by second-year player Adem Bona. Bona was solid last season for the Bruins, but now he will be taking on more of a leadership role with the team this season.

He seems up for the challenge and will be using what he learned from his former teammates to help guide him. Head coach Mick Cronin believes that the ceiling for Bona is very high, and he has all the faith in the world in the young player.

“I still think he can get better and it’s my job to continue to get him (there) … your strength is your weakness right,” Cronin said, before referencing a recent Bruins standout. “His strength is he’s a tremendous athlete and as good a competitor that I’ve ever coached.:

Per Mick Cronin via The LA Daily News

Last season, Bona averaged just 7.7 points and 5.3 rebounds per game. But to open the season, he dropped 28 points in helping the team get their first victory. Cronin believes that he could be even better than former Bruins star Jaime Jaquez Jr. if Bona continues to put the work in.

“The difference is he’s just a better athlete than Jaime (Jaquez Jr.). Jaime is the same competitor but Adem is a world-class athlete.”

Per Mick Cronin via The LA Daily News

There is plenty of time left for Bona to continue growing his game, but if he performs as he did in the season opener, UCLA could be very dangerous this season. It was a great start, and hopefully, he can keep it up.

Don't forget to join our community at LA Sports Report, where we celebrate all things Bruins!