Dylan Andrews: From Rising Star to UCLA Standout
Dylan Andrews' journey at UCLA has been marked by significant contributions and evolving roles within the Bruins' basketball program. From his early days learning from veteran players to stepping up as a leader, Andrews has consistently demonstrated his commitment to the team's success. While his trajectory has faced some challenges, his overall impact on UCLA basketball remains noteworthy.
Early Influences and Integration
Andrews arrived at UCLA as a highly-touted recruit, ranked among the top point guards in his class. He quickly found a mentor in Tyger Campbell, the Bruins' longtime point guard. Andrews spent considerable time with Campbell, absorbing his knowledge of the game and learning how to thrive in coach Mick Cronin's system. Andrews remembers Campbell as one of the first people that opened his arms to him, and that he was over at his house every other day, and they were just talking basketball. This mentorship proved invaluable as Andrews navigated the transition from high school to college basketball.
Initially, Andrews wrestled with finding his place on a team of seasoned veterans. However, as the season progressed, he carved out a role for himself, showcasing his speed, defensive prowess, and midrange shooting ability. In the final six games of the season - constituting the Pac-12 and NCAA Tournaments - Andrews played 10 or more minutes in each contest, his longest stretch all year. Andrews realized his place and became a spark, an energy.
Defensive Mindset
Defense has always been a point of pride for Andrews. He never liked seeing the ball go into his team’s basket, much less off the hands of his own man. Even before joining the Bruins, Andrews never liked seeing the ball go into his team’s basket, much less off the hands of his own man. He understood the importance of being in the right position and guarding his man, recognizing that a lack of defensive effort could limit his playing time. This commitment to defense has made him a valuable asset in Cronin's system. "If you’re not in the right spot, if you’re not guarding your man, you might not even see the court,” Andrews said. “I’m already taking pride in defense.
Leadership Role
With Tyger Campbell's departure, Andrews stepped into a leadership role, guiding the team's many new freshmen. Andrews is expected to lead his teammates into a new era. Having spent a year in the program, he shared his insights on coach Cronin's expectations and the demands of college basketball. “Dylan - when I came in here - taught me a lot of different things about how coach Cronin is and what he expects and stuff, and I feel like I needed that,” Mack said. Andrews emphasized the importance of mental fortitude, especially with aspirations of a deep run in March. "There’s going to be mistakes down the road, but they have to be mentally, especially if we want to go all the way and get to March, bring another banner,” Andrews said.
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Sophomore Surge
As a sophomore, Andrews embraced his expanded role, bringing energy and playmaking to the Bruins. “Just be a spark, be an energy,” the sophomore guard said. With longtime point guard Tyger Campbell moving on from UCLA men’s basketball, Andrews is taking up the mantle, ascending from the bench to the starting rotation and inheriting all the responsibilities. “It’s just like I stepped into the role of Tyger, which is at a young age,” Andrews said. He aimed to guide the team and help the freshmen understand what they were getting themselves into.
The USC Rivalry
Andrews understands the significance of the rivalry between UCLA and USC. He experienced the excitement of defeating the Trojans at the Galen Center and recognized the importance of securing a sweep. Sophomore Dylan Andrews spoke on the significance of the opportunity to get another win versus USC on Thursday. "It would be dope, like the way that it felt to win for the first time at the Galen Center. To go 2-0 against SC, that's our rivals, that would be an accomplishment for us,” Andrews said. In a game against USC in January, Andrews led the Bruins with 20 points, two rebounds, and four assists in that win.
Challenges and Growth
Despite the initial high expectations, Andrews faced challenges during a particular season. His scoring output decreased, and his overall performance didn't quite match the level he displayed at the end of the previous season. From a statistical standpoint, Andrews’s season was a major step back from the year prior. Andrews saw his PPG cut in half from 12.9 to 6.9, with his minutes dropping by around 10 minutes a game at the same time. Assist numbers, rebounding numbers, and free throw numbers were similarly down compared to the year before.
As the season wore on, it became clear just how much this roster hinged on Dylan Andrews playing to the level that he showed at the end of the 2023-2024 season. That player was a borderline All-Conference guy, someone that the team could rely on to create his own shot and create for everyone else. In that season, Andrews scored in double-digits in 13 of UCLA’s final 14 games; this past year, Andrews only managed that feat in nine games throughout the year.
Andrews' Transfer
Ultimately, Andrews decided to transfer to another program to seek a fresh start and reestablish himself. That last part turned out to be true, but not because Andrews is off to the NBA, but rather because his year was a disaster that required him to find a new program to reestablish himself at. This decision reflects the ever-evolving landscape of college basketball and the importance of finding the right fit for individual players.
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