UCLA Basketball: Starting Big Making Progress Through Injury

The freshman forward returned to practice despite his hand injury.

Starting freshman combo forward Berke Buyuktuncel missed your UCLA Bruins' 65-50 blowout road win over their cross-town rival USC Trojans last week with a hand injury. However, that could all change after this development, we learned from The Los Angeles Times' Ben Bolch. 

Bolch reported that Buyuktuncel is back at practice but is still progressing through his wrist injury. 

Mick Cronin said Berke Buyuktuncel practiced yesterday but is still progressing through his hand injury. Sebastian Mack is working through some steps with trainer Tyler Lesher to assess his toe right now. Lazar Stefanovic has been playing through a foot issue for a month.

— Ben Bolch (@latbbolch) January 30, 2024

According to John W. Davis of The Long Beach Press Telegram, Buyuktuncel was officially listed as day-to-day as of last Saturday. 

The Turkey native is averaging 6.2 points per game on 40% shooting from the field, 3.2 rebounds, and 0.8 assists in 13 games and 19.8 minutes. 

The Bruins recruited the big man from Bursa, Turkey, who was among the best players in his home country. His presence has been missed, but hopefully, he will be available sooner rather than later.