UCLA Basketball: 3 Incoming Freshmen Ranked Among Top International NCAA Prospects in 2023-24
UCLA's incoming eight-man recruiting class certainly has a global flavor to it.
Utah transfer Lazar Stefanovic originally comes from Serbia. Berke Buyuktuncel (Turkey), Jan Vide (Slovenia), Ilane Fibleuil (France), and Aday Mara (Spain) also all hail from Europe. The three other freshmen -- Devin Williams (Los Angeles), Brandon Williams (New York City), and Sebastian Mack (Chicago/Las Vegas) -- come from the United States.
It truly speaks to the ever-evolving nature of college basketball and the evolution of the sport as a whole. UCLA's basketball team for this upcoming year is certainly emblematic of that premise. In addition to those listed above, two other members of UCLA's roster -- Adem Bona and Kenny Nwuba -- come from Nigeria. If you ever attend a UCLA practice, you might be best served to have the Duolingo app handy.
As it pertains to Mick Cronin, it just means leading what appears to be a very talented, unique basketball team.
ESPN recently came out with an article that ranked the top international freshmen prospects entering the collegiate game. Unsurprisingly, three Bruins made the list.
Mara -- the 7'3" center with terrific length and skill -- was listed as the No. 1 incoming international freshman. Not to be outdone, Buyuktuncel came in at No. 2. Rounding out the group was Vide at No. 9.
Each player was analyzed by pundits Jeff Borzello and Jonathan Givony.
Givony had this to say about Mara:
"The center from Zaragoza, Spain, is a huge target in the low post, and as a pick and roll finisher with his 7-foot-7 wingspan, terrific skill level and feel for the game. He's a very good passer with polished footwork, reliable hands and a soft touch around the basket, already bringing significant experience at the highest levels of international basketball."
- Givony on Mara per ESPN
Givony also spoke about Buyuktuncel:
"The power forward from Bursa, Turkey, played significant minutes versus high-level competition last season, and already made his debut with the Turkish senior national team. He was the best player on the floor at this summer's FIBA U19 World Cup in a win over USA Basketball, proving himself as a skilled, intelligent, versatile player who impacts every facet of the game."
- Givony on Buyuktuncel per ESPN
Lastly, Borzello spoke about how Vide could fit with UCLA's current roster:
"The third Bruin to make this list, Vide has the cachet to push for a starting job from day one: He suited up at various age groups for Real Madrid for several years and won MVP honors at the Adidas Next Generation Tournament finals. And Cronin will need his talent rather quickly. He's likely to play alongside Dylan Andrews in the backcourt, given his size, scoring and playmaking acumen and ability to effectively man either guard position."
- Borzello on Vide per ESPN
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