Latest Slidescroller coverage mentioning Xavier Booker across Basketball.
Indiana has not signed a center from high school since 2020, a gap that has shaped coaching decisions, impacted tournament appearances, and now fuels a search for a long‑term solution.
Dusty May’s exit leaves Michigan rebuilding through the portal, while UCLA eyes Michigan’s JP Estrella, a 10‑point, 5.4‑rebound junior, to anchor its interior and complement a perimeter‑heavy lineup.
After guiding Michigan to a national title in just two seasons, Dusty May left for the NBA, prompting a wave of portal entries that have caught the attention of UCLA, which is eyeing dominant post player JP Estrella.
After a disappointing season that left UCLA outside the Top 25, Coach Mick Cronin and junior guard Trent Perry must lead a reshaped roster to avoid missing the tournament and secure Cronin's future.
UCLA’s basketball program entered the offseason with a stark reality: after finishing 12th in the nation last year, the Bruins slipped outside the top 25, a fall that has left fans and analysts questioning the trajectory of the team.
After a disappointing season, UCLA looks to leverage returning star Trent Perry and strategic additions to chase an Elite Eight berth in the upcoming NCAA tournament.
UCLA’s basketball program is entering a pivotal season as head coach Mick Cronin begins his eighth year at the helm, a tenure marked by both promise and frustration. A year ago the Bruins entered the campaign as a preseason top‑12 squad but ultimately slipped to an unranked 24‑12 record, leaving fans eager for redemption. The only major contributor returning from that roster is guard Trent Perry, who posted 13 points per game last season while shooting 43 percent from the field, and his role is expected to expand. Cronin has bolstered the squad with several high‑profile transfers, among them Jaylen Petty and Filip Jovic, while guard Donovan Dent struggled to meet expectations after his own move to Westwood. The Big Ten remains the most competitive conference in college basketball, with traditional powerhouses such as Michigan, Illinois, Michigan State, Purdue and Wisconsin all vying for the national title. If the new arrivals click, the Bruins’ best‑case scenario could see them advance to the Elite Eight of the NCAA tournament, a goal that has eluded them in recent years.
UCLA’s rebuilding season hinges on the performance of three freshmen, each facing distinct pathways that could shape the program’s future.
The Bruins lose several key players but welcome fresh talent like Xavier Booker, Trent Perry, Jaylen Petty and Joe Philon, each poised to shape the team's fortunes.
UCLA will kick off the 2026‑27 men’s basketball season in Las Vegas against Arizona, a team fresh off a Final Four run, in a game that could define the Bruins’ campaign under coach Mick Cronin.
Gunars Grinvalds, an 18‑year‑old forward from Real Madrid, will join UCLA’s basketball program next season, adding professional pedigree and shooting skill to a roster hungry for depth at the stretch‑four position.
An 18‑year‑old Latvian forward who helped Real Madrid win the LigaU title will join UCLA’s freshman class, aiming to fill a key small‑forward role and potentially reshape the Bruins’ lineup.
Gunars Grinvalds, a 6‑foot‑7 Latvian forward with EuroLeague experience, announced his commitment to UCLA, joining a roster that has seen mixed success with European players and will compete for minutes alongside returning veterans.
After a 24‑12 season and a projected 8‑seed placement, UCLA is banking on new additions and a unified approach to break through the West Region bracket.
After a 24‑12 season that fell short of hopes, UCLA is reshaping its roster with new backcourt pieces and a clearer role for Trent Perry, aiming to surpass an 8‑seed projection in the 76‑team March Madness bracket.
Coach Mick Cronin’s Bruins are reshaping their roster after a 24‑12 campaign, blending fresh transfers with the development of emerging stars as they aim to climb the conference rankings.
With the 2026‑27 season still months away, analysts have released an early power ranking that spotlights the conference’s emerging contenders and key transfers.
A look at the top five teams in the upcoming Big Ten season, highlighting key returning players, transfers and coaching storylines.
UCLA basketball head coach Mick Cronin is rebuilding the Bruins' roster for the next season after a disappointing previous year, bringing in quality players through the transfer portal and high school recruiting, aiming to make UCLA a top‑25 team and compete for a top‑five spot in the Big Ten.
With key departures and a fresh batch of talent, the Bruins look to reshape their lineup under Coach Mick Cronin.
The Gophers will travel across the Midwest and coast to face some of college basketball's most competitive programs, while hoping to translate a deep roster into wins.
UCLA’s basketball program is poised for a pivotal season as head coach Mick Cronin finalizes a roster that blends proven contributors with fresh prospects.
Two Michigan State basketball signees, Ethan Taylor and Jasiah Jervis, are among the final 19 players competing for a spot on the USA Men’s U18 National Team that will compete in Mexico.
UCLA basketball coach Mick Cronin has locked in several key players and added promising talent from the transfer portal, while keeping a close eye on a possible return of Iowa State’s Milan Momcilovic, a move that could reshape the Bruins’ frontcourt.