UCLA Basketball: A Deep Dive into Transfer History and Future Prospects

The UCLA Bruins stand as one of college basketball's most storied programs. With 11 national titles and 19 Final Four appearances, the Bruins are an iconic brand. However, their last national title was in 1995. Despite this title drought, UCLA has consistently produced NBA Draft picks, including the 2017 MVP, Russell Westbrook. After reaching the second round of the NCAA Tournament in 2025, Mick Cronin's team has the potential to contend for a title in the upcoming season. The Bruins have retained key players and strategically added high-profile transfers.

Key Transfers Poised for Success

Several transfers on the Bruins roster have the potential to be selected in the 2026 NBA Draft, provided they have strong seasons in the Big Ten. These players bring a mix of experience, athleticism, and skill that could significantly impact UCLA's performance.

Xavier Booker: A Second Chance

Xavier Booker, a powerful athlete listed at 6-foot-11 and 245 pounds, transferred to UCLA from Michigan State. Booker never secured a significant role in the Spartans' rotation, averaging 12.8 minutes per game in his sophomore year under coach Tom Izzo. The Indianapolis native averaged 4.7 points and 2.2 rebounds per game, shooting 41.7% from the field in 2024-25.

Rated as a five-star recruit, the No. 11 overall player, and No. 2 center in the 2023 cycle by 247Sports, Booker possesses the size and athleticism to attract NBA attention if he finds a rhythm in Cronin's system. Booker is expected to have more opportunities at UCLA than he did at Michigan State.

Despite his high school accolades, Booker made only incremental improvements from his freshman to sophomore seasons. In his final season at Michigan State, he averaged 4.7 points, 2.2 rebounds, and 0.7 blocks in 12.8 minutes per game, mostly off the bench. His shooting percentages were uncharacteristically low for a big man, with 41.7% from the field and 23.3% (17 of 73) from three-point range. However, he performed better from the free-throw line, making 22 of 28 attempts (78.6%). Booker's role diminished after the start of the season, and he did not appear in the Spartans’ final three NCAA tournament games.

Areas for improvement include rebounding and assertiveness around the basket. Booker was sometimes criticized for taking too many outside shots and not using his 7-5 wingspan closer to the rim. Playing alongside point guard Donovan Dent, known for his playmaking abilities, could help Booker become a bigger offensive factor. There is also hope that Booker could blossom, given that college centers typically develop more slowly than smaller players.

Eric Dailey Jr.: Versatility on the Wing

Eric Dailey Jr., a versatile wing, transferred to UCLA after one year at Oklahoma State. Listed at 6-foot-8 and 230 pounds, Dailey averaged 11.4 points, four rebounds, 1.4 assists, and 1.3 steals per game, shooting 50.7% from the field and 37.8% from 3-point range with the Bruins in 2024-25.

Entering his junior season, Dailey could play his way into the 2026 NBA Draft with another solid campaign. The former IMG Academy standout was rated the No. 38 player and No. 9 power forward in the 2023 cycle by 247Sports coming out of high school.

Dailey is possibly the Bruins’ best athlete and most versatile player. He played some point guard in high school before transitioning into a big-man role at Oklahoma State. Cronin has mentioned that Dailey could play alongside fellow power forward Tyler Bilodeau because of their complementary skill sets.

Dailey comes from a basketball family. His mother, Shell, played at Texas and coached at Texas A&M, Florida, and Texas Christian, as well as in the WNBA and ABL. His father, Eric Sr., played at TCU and professionally in Europe, Asia, and South America for 10 years.

Read also: Navigating Tech Breadth at UCLA

Donovan Dent: The Floor General

Donovan Dent, a senior guard, has already made a significant impact. Dent ranks No. 10 in the nation in odds for the Naismith Player of the Year, according to Fox Sports, and can transform the Bruin offense into a high-powered unit. Cronin noted that Dent is unstoppable in the open court, not just for his scoring but also for his elite passing. Dent is adjusting to Cronin's demands on his defensive effort and ball security.

Jamar Brown: The Sharpshooter

Jamar Brown joins UCLA after playing at UMKC. While ranked 345th overall for transfer players by 247Sports, there's a strong possibility he will outperform that ranking. Brown is known for his toughness, physicality, rebounding, and ability to hit open 3-pointers. He is expected to get plenty of clean looks alongside Donovan Dent.

In 2024-25, Brown shot 40.2% from 3-point range and an impressive 89.9% from the free-throw line. The 6-foot-5, 200-pound shooting guard also grabbed 7.4 rebounds per game. Although Brown isn't projected as a starter, he can still make a significant impact.

Brown made a turning point after his first year at Phoenix College. Coach Duane Eason told Brown that he needed to get his shot off a lot faster to play at a higher level. Eason took Brown to a shooting coach who worked with him on the mechanics of his release, leading to a season in which he made 50% of his shots and 44% of his three-pointers, becoming the National Junior College Athletic Assn. Division II Region I player of the year.

Brown will be trying to reverse a trend given that the last two Bruins who came from lower college levels did not make much of an impact.

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Steven Jamerson II: Adding Depth in the Frontcourt

Steven Jamerson II, a wiry 6-10 center with one season of eligibility remaining, will likely serve as the primary backup big man after playing for coach Steve Lavin at the University of San Diego for the last three seasons.

As a junior for the Toreros, Jamerson averaged 10.0 points, 7.8 rebounds, and 0.8 blocks while making 55.7% of his shots. He started 30 of 31 games, averaging 24.1 minutes. Jamerson’s move to UCLA represents a homecoming for the Los Angeles native who played for Crespi High in Encino.

Constant improvement is a theme for Jamerson, who was the last player to make his freshman team before being lightly recruited out of high school and spending his freshman year as a student at Michigan State without being a member of the basketball team. He then transferred to San Diego, where he became a part-time starter in his first season and continually worked his way into a bigger role.

Other Key Players

UCLA's strength comes from their returning players, including senior guard Skyy Clark and senior forward Tyler Bilodeau. Clark is working on finding his role and has a great support system around him. Bilodeau's ability to stretch the floor means he could play alongside Dailey.

Addressing Past Weaknesses

One of UCLA's key problems last season was their ability to hit 3-pointers. For example, in their loss to the Tennessee Volunteers, UCLA went just 3-23 from behind the arc. The additions of players like Jamar Brown and Dominick Harris, known for their shooting prowess, aim to address this issue.

Recent Transfer Portal Activity

Mick Cronin didn’t sit still after UCLA’s first losing season in nearly a decade and his first losing season since early in his career at Cincinnati. The coach landed six transfers as part of a roster overhaul intended to vault the Bruins into contention in their first Big Ten season.

Kobe Johnson (USC)

Kobe Johnson, a 6-6, 200-pound senior transfer from USC, has one season of eligibility remaining. Last season, he averaged 10.9 points, 4.6 rebounds, 3.3 assists, and 2.2 steals while making 40.4% of his shots and 31.3% of his three-pointers. Johnson could supplant Lazar Stefanovic as the starting small forward because of his defensive prowess and passing skills. He was a member of the Pac-12’s all-defensive team last season and has a chance to become UCLA’s second national defensive player of the year in three seasons after Jaylen Clark won the award in 2022-23. Cronin describes Johnson as a “plus-plus guy” because of his ability to defend, shoot, and pass at a high level. Johnson is believed to be the first basketball player to compete for USC and UCLA since Frank Bowman during the final years of World War II.

William Kyle III (South Dakota State)

William Kyle III, a 6-9, 230-pound junior transfer from South Dakota State, has two seasons of eligibility remaining. Last season, he averaged 13.1 points, 6.6 rebounds, and 1.6 blocks while shooting 62.3%. Kyle could be UCLA’s starting center if the Bruins opt for his proven defense and rebounding over sophomore Aday Mara’s upside on offense. Mara has a long way to go to match Kyle’s conditioning and ability to stay on the court for long stretches.

Dominick Harris (Loyola Marymount)

Dominick Harris, a 6-3, 190-pound graduate transfer from Loyola Marymount, has two seasons of eligibility remaining. Last season, he averaged 14.3 points, 3.3 rebounds, and 1.0 assist while making 42.9% of his shots and 44.8% of his three-pointers. His elite long-range shooting could help him immediately move into the starting lineup.

Tyler Bilodeau (Oregon State)

Tyler Bilodeau, a 6-9, 220-pound junior transfer from Oregon State, has two seasons of eligibility remaining. Last season, he averaged 14.3 points, 5.7 rebounds, and 1.2 assists while making 53.3% of his shots and 34.5% of his three-pointers.

Skyy Clark (Louisville)

Skyy Clark, a 6-3, 205-pound junior transfer from Louisville, has two seasons of eligibility remaining. Last season, he averaged 13.2 points, 3.1 rebounds, and 3.0 assists while making 41.2% of his shots and 35.3% of his three-pointers. Surrounded by more offensive firepower in Westwood should allow him to flourish as a distributor while opening him for more uncontested shots.

Bench Transformation and Departures

UCLA's bench is set to look very different next season. After an appearance in the 2025 Final Four, a significant number of players entered the transfer portal. This included junior guard Janiah Barker and junior forward Londynn Jones, both standouts on the team. Freshmen Elina Aarnisalo, Kendall Dudley, Avary Cain, and Zania Socka-Nguemen also entered the portal.

Despite these departures, UCLA is still expected to have a strong team. Coach Cori Close will have Naismith Defensive Player of the Year Lauren Betts, All-Big Ten guard Kiki Rice, and Washington State transfer Charlisse Leger-Walker. Sienna Betts, Lauren's younger sister, is also joining the team.

Coaching Continuity and Philosophy

Mick Cronin's coaching philosophy emphasizes defense and a demanding approach. His ability to integrate new talent while maintaining a disciplined team will be crucial for UCLA's success.

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