UCLA Basketball: Writer Views New International Commit As NBA First Round Pick

An influx of overseas talent is joining the Blue and Gold this year.

Your UCLA Bruins are acquiring a sudden influx of international talent late in their offseason. Spanish 7'3" freshman center Aday Mara, most recently with Casademont Zaragoza, and Turkish 6'9" freshman swingman Berke Buyuktuncel, most recently with Tofas S.K., are the most highly touted new additions to the team this summer.

While Mara is considered the more premium prospect for the 2024 NBA draft (he's projected to be a top-10 lottery pick), Buyuktuncel is no slouch. Accordingly, The Ringer's Kevin O'Connor believes he, too, could be a first round draft pick.

O'Connor breaks down how Buyuktuncel can help at the NCAA level, following his years of international professional work.

"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," O'Connor writes. "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."

He ranks the intriguing wing as the No. 23 best player in his preseason 2024 NBA draft power rankings. The spot should be taken with a caveat. Just because O'Connor lists Buyuktuncel among next year's draft class does not necessarily mean he will declare for the draft. Should the Turkish forward want more college seasoning, he could opt to instead stick around for another year or two with the NCAA powerhouse, meaning he could be present for UCLA's transition from the dying Pac-12 (which will lose eight of its current teams in a depressing mass exodus) to the more midwest-oriented Big 10.