UCLA rebuilds roster for 2026-27 season

UCLA men's basketball coach Mick Cronin described the upcoming 2026-27 season as a period of focused development for a youth-oriented roster. The Bruins retained their eligible returning players while adding five transfers and freshmen during the offseason. This move replaced experienced veterans with younger athletes who fit Cronin's defensive and scrappy style.

The program addressed specific statistical gaps from the 2025-26 campaign. UCLA finished that season with a 24-12 record and lost to UConn in the NCAA Tournament Round of 32. The team ranked 49th in KenPom's defensive rating and 228th in overall rebound-percentage. Cronin said he looks forward to coaching the new group every day, citing their responsiveness to his energy.

Three players departed the roster after the previous season. Tyler Bilodeau, a 6-foot-9 forward who averaged 17.6 points per game, graduated and was drafted with the 43rd overall pick by the Brooklyn Nets. Donovan Dent and Skyy Clark both transferred to LSU after receiving an extra year of eligibility under the NCAA's age-based model. Dent, a 6-foot-2 guard who led the team with 7.6 assists per game, had initially retired before unretiring. Clark, a 6-foot-3 guard who shot 43% from three-point range, joined him at LSU.

Three players are returning for the new season. Trent Perry, a 6-foot-4 guard, returns for his junior year after averaging 12.6 points per game. He will assume the lead guard role following the departures of Clark and Dent. Eric Dailey Jr., a 6-foot-8 wing, returns for his senior year after a sophomore season where he improved as a defender and rebounder. Xavier Booker, a 6-foot-11 senior, shot 43.3% from three-point range and averaged 1.2 blocks per game last year.

The Bruins added five new players to the roster. Nikola Kusturica, a 6-foot-9 wing from Serbia, was the primary target of the offseason recruiting effort. He averaged 25 points, seven rebounds, and three assists while winning Defensive MVP at the FIBA U17 World Cup. Azavier Robinson, a 6-foot-2 guard, transferred from Butler after missing time last season with a wrist injury. Filip Jovic, a 6-foot-8 inside player, transferred from Auburn and is described by Cronin as a ferocious player and skilled rebounder.

Two additional players joined the squad. Joe Philon, a 6-foot-8 four-star wing from Tampa Bay, was called the steal of the recruiting class by Cronin. He offers length and athleticism for the defensive side of the ball. Jaylen Petty, a 6-foot-1 guard, transferred from Texas Tech. Petty averaged 11 points and shot 39% from deep over his final 15 games last season, providing an offensive spark for the team.