UCLA Basketball: A New Era of Recruiting Excellence
As the UCLA Bruins basketball team looks to bounce back from a disappointing 2023-24 season, head coach Mick Cronin has been hard at work, leveraging the NCAA transfer portal to bring in a talented crop of new recruits. And by all accounts, he’s been doing a fantastic job.
The Bruins are on the rise
After a season that saw the team miss the NCAA Tournament for the first time in Cronin’s tenure, the coach knew he needed to shake things up. And shake things up he did, opting to focus on recruiting proven commodities from within the United States rather than relying on international prospects.
The results have been impressive, with the Bruins bringing in a slew of talented players from across the country. Among the new additions are former Pac-12 All-Defensive USC Trojans small forward Kobe Johnson, ex-Louisville Cardinals guard Skyy Clark, former Oklahoma State power forward Eric Dailey Jr., recent Oregon State big man Tyler Bilodeau, former South Dakota State forward William Kyle III, and former Loyola Marymount guard Dominick Harris.
 Kobe Johnson brings athleticism and defensive prowess to the Bruins
Ricky O’Donnell of SB Nation has been impressed with the Bruins’ haul, ranking them among the top seven teams to have benefited from the NCAA transfer portal this offseason. And it’s easy to see why. Johnson, in particular, has been praised for his athleticism, defensive skills, and ability to drive to the basket.
 Skyy Clark brings ball-handling ability and scoring punch
Clark, meanwhile, has been touted for his ball-handling skills, although O’Donnell notes that he can be a bit erratic at times. Still, with Dylan Andrews on hand to help quarterback the offense, the Bruins are looking strong.
 Eric Dailey Jr. brings size and strength to the Bruins’ frontcourt
The Bruins have also added some much-needed size and strength to their frontcourt, courtesy of Dailey Jr. and Kyle III. And with incumbent pieces like Andrews, Mack, Lazar Stefanovic, and Aday Mara returning, the team is looking well-stocked for a big season.
 Tyler Bilodeau brings a strong post presence to the Bruins
As the Bruins look to bounce back from a tough season, it’s clear that Cronin has made all the right moves. With a talented crop of new recruits and a solid core of returning players, UCLA is poised to make a big impact in the Pac-12 this year.
The Bruins are back
