All articles tagged with #ucla bruins
Nikola Kusturica, a 6-foot-9 international wing from FC Barcelona and a projected 2028 NBA first-round pick, committed to UCLA over Kentucky for the 2026-27 season, leaving Kentucky to search for its final roster spot; he’ll spend two years in college before turning pro.
UCLA landed 6'8" Serbian wing Nikola Kusturica, a 17-year-old standout who starred for Team Serbia and the FIBA U17 World Cup, choosing UCLA over Michigan and Kentucky. He’ll have two years of college basketball before entering the 2028 NBA Draft, helping reload the Bruins’ lineup this off-season and potentially becoming a Day One starter in 2027-28 as UCLA builds around guards Trent Perry and Jaylen Petty amid a busy transfer period.
UCLA secured Serbia’s Nikola Kusturica for the 2026-27 season with a multiyear NIL agreement, positioning him as a top prospect for the 2028 NBA Draft; the 4-star, 17-year-old wing starred for FC Barcelona and Serbia (notably 37 points in the FIBA U17 World Cup final) and was viewed as UCLA’s top target over Michigan before Dusty May’s Mavericks hire shifted the recruitment, joining a Bruins class that aims to return to title contention.
Top-ranked UCLA’s title bid ended with a 6-5, 10-inning loss to Saint Mary’s in the Los Angeles Regional, as Makoa Sniffen delivered a walk-off single to bring Cody Kashimoto home after UCLA led into the ninth. Saint Mary’s, which also beat UCLA in the regional opener, eliminated the Bruins (52-8) as the No. 1 overall seed, marking a rare early exit for a top seed since the current format began in 1999. UCLA coach John Savage cited pitching challenges tied to Logan Reddemann’s absence and praised his players as the season ends for a program that peaked at the top before this weekend’s upset.
Saint Mary’s shocked UCLA 6-5 in 10 innings at Jackie Robinson Stadium to end the Bruins’ season as the NCAA baseball tournament’s No. 1 overall seed, after UCLA squandered 3-0 and 5-2 leads. Makoa Sniffen lined a single to score the winning run in the 10th, capping a regional that highlighted UCLA’s late struggles and bullpen issues, including closer Easton Hawk’s tough outings and the loss of ace Logan Reddemann. The Bruins were knocked out in a dramatic walk-off, leaving coach John Savage to reflect on a disappointing culmination to a storied era.
Saint Mary's pulled off a 3-2 upset over No. 1 UCLA in the Los Angeles Regional opener, as Jacob Johnson hit a go-ahead solo homer in the ninth. Cam Staton earned the win for Saint Mary's after UCLA's late rally fizzled, with Johnson also homering earlier. UCLA, despite strong pitching and two homers from Johnson, could not mount a comeback. Saint Mary's advances to face Cal Poly in the winner's bracket, while UCLA must beat Virginia Tech to stay alive.
Oregon blanked Nebraska 7-0 in the Big Ten Baseball Tournament semifinal at Charles Schwab Field, advancing to the championship against UCLA after the Bruins beat USC earlier. The Ducks tallied 10 hits, including Brayden Jaksa’s two-run homer and Drew Smith’s two-run triple plus Angel Laya’s homer, while Will Sanford worked six scoreless innings with nine strikeouts. Nebraska was limited to four hits and was shut out for the first time this season, ending the Huskers’ eight-game win streak as Oregon moved on to the title game.
Deuce Jones-Drew, Maurice Jones-Drew’s son, commits to UCLA as part of the 2027 class, choosing the Bruins over Arizona and Cal. The De La Salle High School (CA) product stands 5-8, 175 pounds and is rated a three-star running back; he was recruited by UCLA coaches Bob Chesney and A.J. Steward.
In Fort Worth, UCLA finished third in the NCAA gymnastics semifinal after a season-low vault derailed their title bid, despite Jordan Chiles earning her second NCAA floor title (9.975) and the AAI Award as she capped her final collegiate routine; Minnesota and Oklahoma advanced to the national championship.
No. 4 UCLA finished third in a four-team NCAA semifinal in Fort Worth as Minnesota used a final-rotation rally to overtake them and earn a spot in the finals; UCLA’s Jordan Chiles, who had an early uneven-bars fall, recovered with a 9.975 on floor to capture the NCAA floor title, while Emma Slevin’s 9.85 on bars helped Minnesota seal the win. Rosen’s vault stumble and other lower scores by UCLA sealed their season in tears, ending their bid for a national title as Minnesota, Oklahoma, LSU and Florida advanced to Saturday’s finals.
Azzi Fudd was selected No. 1 by the Dallas Wings in the 2026 WNBA Draft, capping a night that saw UConn produce another No. 1 and Dallas land back‑to‑back top picks with Paige Bueckers. UCLA set a draft record with six players taken, while other first‑round selections included Olivia Miles (Minnesota), Awa Fam Thiam (Seattle), Gabriela Jaquez (Chicago) and Lauren Betts (Washington). Expansion clubs Portland Fire and Toronto Tempo joined the stage, and Fudd’s rookie deal reached about $500,000 under the new CBA as the league heads into its 30th season starting May 8.
In the 2026 WNBA draft, UCLA dominated the first round with five players selected in the top ten, including Lauren Betts, Gabriela Jaquez, Kiki Rice and Angela Dugalić, as the draft kicked off at Hudson Yards with the Dallas Wings holding the No. 1 pick; top prospects like Azzi Fudd, Awa Fam and Olivia Miles were also highlighted in Sports Illustrated’s live updates.
UCLA erased a rough first half and beat Duke 70-58 in Sacramento to advance to the Final Four for the second straight year under coach Cori Close, with Lauren Betts scoring 23 and Angela Dugalic adding 15 as UCLA tightened its defense in the second half and will face the Texas/Michigan winner in Phoenix.
No. 9 Nebraska shot only 38.8% and went 5-for-24 from three as UCLA started strong and pulled away to a 72-52 win on Senior Night in Los Angeles. Sam Hoiberg led NU with 12 points, with Rienk Mast and Cale Jacobsen adding 11 each. UCLA shot 46% and hit 10 threes, improving to 17-1 at home. A late Husker push cut the lead to 57-47 with 6:49 left, but a crucial foul and a Bilodeau 3-pointer helped UCLA restore the margin. Nebraska finishes Big Ten play with a 7-3 road mark and will host Iowa on Sunday for Senior Day.
UCLA coach Mick Cronin apologized for ejecting center Steven Jamerson II from the game after a blowout loss to No. 15 Michigan State, saying he must do a better job representing the school; he defended Jamerson and urged unity as UCLA prepares to host Illinois.