UCLA Basketball: Top 2024 SG Officially Signs With The Bruins
Without the platform of UCLA and all that it brings to the table, Mick Cronin was used to recruiting those tough, hard-nosed under-the-radar prospects.
He was known for coaching a team of gritty, physical players at Cincinnati. Bringing that same mindset to Westwood, Cronin is also benefitting from having access to a higher level of player comparatively speaking. When you pair a more talented player with the Cincinnati toughness, you're cooking with some real gas.
Former UCLA star Jaylen Clark embodied the Cinci spirit. He was one of the first recruits Cronin brought to UCLA upon landing the job. In need of another multi-faceted wing, Cronin has gone out and landed a player with similar characteristics in local 4-star guard Eric Freeny.
Like Clark, Freeny hails from the Inland Empire. He attends powerhouse Corona Centennial High School -- the primary rival to Clark's Etiwanda High School. Players from this region of the state are known for being well-coached, fundamentally sound, and tough as nails.
Freeny is no different. Playing for one of the state's best programs, he's a true winner in every sense of the word. He flew somewhat under the radar leading up to this year -- essentially fulfilling the role of a glorified glue guy.
Cronin had this to say about Freeny in a press release:
"We are thrilled to have Eric join our UCLA family. I love what Eric can add to our program. He's talented and tough. He's a true winner from a great high school program with an outstanding coach. 'Free' can shoot the ball, defend and rebound, and we do need shooting. He has proven himself on the national AAU circuit as one of the leading scorers in the country, playing for the Compton Magic. Eric cares about winning and he's excited about becoming a Bruin. He comes from a great family, and we are all very excited to have him join us in Westwood."
- Cronin on 4-star signee Eric Freeny
Now growing into a bigger role on the offensive end of the floor, Freeny has seen his game and reputation grow.
A powerful combo guard, Freeny can toggle back and forth between the point and the two-guard spot. A willing defender, he isn't afraid to take on the challenge of defending a bigger player. His impressive basketball I.Q. is constantly on display when reading the opposition and reacting accordingly.
Offensively, 'his bag' continues to get more and more advanced. Freeny can score on all levels of the floor, though in particular, he's a very capable shooter from beyond the arc. 247Sports ranks him as a 4-star prospect (No. 76 overall).
He continues the long line of UCLA players hailing from the I.E. Aside from Clark and now Freeny, other notable Bruins from the region include Reggie Miller, Lonzo Ball, Darren Collison, Ike Anigbogu, Jalen Hill, Malcolm Lee, and current UCLA big man Devin Williams.
Freeny is the only signee to date in the 2024 class for the Bruins.
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