UCLA Basketball: Pundit Loves Bruins' Freshmen-Filled 2023-2024 Roster
As we get closer to the start of the new college basketball season, the UCLA Bruins will look to prove people wrong. Normally a top team, the club will be relying upon multiple freshmen this season to help it repeat or better its Sweet Sixteen finish last spring during the NCAA Tournament, as David Cobb of CBS Sports details.
“Kentucky's reliance on freshmen for the 2023-24 season is a well-established storyline at this point. But UCLA will challenge the Wildcats for the title of most freshman-dependent team in the country.”
The team signed seven freshmen this season, including a few international players. Big man Aday Mora seems to be the prize of the class, standing at 7’3". He should provide the Bruins with plenty of size to use against opponents.
The Bruins should have most teams beat on size this season, even without the experience of playing college ball. This should give them an advantage against opponents and possibly allow them to win more games than expected.
Mora seems to be looked at as a potential lottery pick for the 2024 NBA Draft if he can produce this season. He and sophomore Adem Bona should lead the way for this team and have prominent roles this season.
While UCLA's youth-heavy new team has the feeling of a rebuilding year, this program wants to still win big. It’s generally the expectation in Westwood, so the team is going to need to stay the course.
Some of these freshmen have some big shoes to fill as the veteran players who have donned the Purple and Gold have moved on to the NBA. Guys like Aday Mora and Adem Bona lead the way for this team and should have prominent roles this season.
"If coach Mick Cronin can figure out how to maximize Mara's enormous frame alongside returning center Adem Bona, it could make UCLA a matchup nightmare."
Don’t sleep on the Bruins in 2023. They may not be the heavyweights they have been in recent years, but this team will still come to play hard every time it's out there on the court.
