UCLA Basketball: Pundit Projects Bruins Have 3 First Round Talents For 2024 Draft

Your UCLA Bruins have been having an offseason for the ages and about a week ago when head coach Mick Cronin announced that their program would be welcoming two new additions to their roster. Fans immediately put two and two together and realized that this likely meant that international stars Aday Mara and Berke Buyuktuncel had finally figured out their own personal situations and were officially on the way to Westwood.

And those predictions were correct as both of those epic signings were announced this week and it appears that the Bruins have finalized their new squad ahead of next season. Multiple difference-makers from their squad last year such as Tyger Campbell, Jaime Jaquez, Amari Bailey and more all declared for the NBA Draft so UCLAs recruiting staff had to work quickly.

Speaking of the NBA Draft, Kevin O'Connor of The Ringer put together an early top prospects list for the 2024 NBA Draft and a number of Bruins appeared on that list.

O'Connor started off with Mara, who he believes will be a lottery pick and placed him at number six.

"Mara is a Spanish center who towers over opponents at 7-foot-3 and 245 pounds, with a 7-foot-7 wingspan. His best skill is his passing, which gives him the potential to be a coordinated offensive nucleus who stands out across the board with soft hands, calculated footwork in the post, and adaptive screening. Mara can score too, with a repertoire that includes scoops, hooks, and ambidextrous layups—if he’s not dunking through defenders."

(Via The Ringer)

Next up, he mentioned Buyuktuncel as the 23rd best prospect for a number of reasons.

"He’s a fundamental screener with skill on pick-and-pops since he can launch 3s or attack off the bounce, and he’s a talented passer who rarely makes mistakes and can serve as a connective piece. The 6-foot-9 forward offers great instincts as a helper on defense, where he’s at his best coming over to help at the rim."

(Via The Ringer)

Finally, O'Connor placed Adem Bona, who will entering his second season with the Bruins, at number 29.

"Bona is a tireless center who never runs out of energy as a big-bodied defender with the hands and feet to execute any type of pick-and-roll defensive scheme in the NBA. He also has the offensive qualities to be an excellent rotation big: He sets rock-solid screens and rolls hard to the rim. As a quick and explosive leaper with good hands, he’ll be a major lob threat."

(Via The Ringer)

We hope to see all of our guys go the full mile!