UCLA Overhauls Roster to Target Defensive Weaknesses
Coach Mick Cronin replaced veteran scorers with defensive-minded transfers and freshmen to address the Bruins' poor rebounding and perimeter defense from the previous season.
By Lucas Sheridan ·
UCLA men’s basketball has prioritized defensive efficiency and rebounding in its 2026-27 roster construction, a direct response to the team's 228th national ranking in rebound percentage during the 2025-26 season.
The program lost its top two scorers in the offseason. Tyler Bilodeau, who averaged 17.6 points per game, graduated and was selected 43rd overall by the Brooklyn Nets. Donovan Dent, the team’s leading assist provider with 7.6 per game, announced his retirement before receiving a fifth year of eligibility and transferring to LSU. Skyy Clark, who shot 43% from three-point range, also gained eligibility and moved to LSU.
To fill the void, coach Mick Cronin added five players with specific defensive profiles. Serbian wing Nikola Kusturica, the offseason’s primary target, won Defensive MVP at the FIBA U17 World Cup while averaging 25 points. He joins Azavier Robinson, a Butler transfer known for his on-ball defense, and Filip Jovic, an Auburn transfer described by Cronin as a ferocious rebounder and switchable defender.
The group also includes freshman Joe Philon from Tampa Bay, whom Cronin called the steal of the recruiting class for his length and athleticism, and Jaylen Petty, a Texas Tech transfer who provides offensive spark. Petty averaged 11 points and shot 39% from deep in his final 15 games last season. This blend of youth and defensive grit aligns with Cronin’s preference for players who compete on the glass and respond to his coaching style.
Returning players must adapt to a new role structure. Trent Perry, a junior guard who averaged 12.6 points last year, will serve as the lead guard following the departures of Clark and Dent. Eric Dailey Jr., a senior wing, aims to combine his improving defensive and rebounding skills with his scoring ability. Xavier Booker, a 6-foot-11 senior who shot 43.3% from three and blocked 1.2 shots per game last season, is expected to carry a heavier load. His ability to sustain energy and block shots is viewed as a key variable for the team's success.
Cronin noted that the roster changes allow him to coach players who fit his specific system. The Bruins finished 24-12 last season and lost to UConn in the Round of 32, a result that highlighted the need for greater physicality. The new roster aims to improve the team's KenPom defensive rating, which stood at 49th last year, by focusing on the areas that previously held the team back.
