Bruins Aim for Top‑25 Return
The UCLA Bruins are entering the upcoming campaign with a buzz that few programs have enjoyed in recent memory. A 24‑12 record and a second‑round showing in the NCAA Tournament have propelled the team into preseason conversations about a potential top‑25 resurgence.
Coach Mick Cronin’s squad will be anchored by returning standouts Trent Perry and Eric Dailey, both of whom proved their impact in the previous season. Their presence provides continuity and a foundation on which the Bruins can build.
Adding to the excitement, top international prospect Nikola Kusturica, a former FC Barcelona standout, is set to join the freshman class. Analysts regard Kusturica as one of the world’s most promising talents, promising to elevate the team’s ceiling.
CBS Sports analyst Gary Parrish has already placed UCLA at No. 17 in his preseason top‑25, citing the blend of returning veterans and a recruiting class that includes Kusturica and other skilled transfers.
The broader recruiting haul also brings in transfers from Texas Tech, Butler, Mississippi State and Auburn, as well as international players like Gunars Grinvalds, further diversifying the roster and deepening the squad’s depth.