In an attempt to improve his team’s roster, UCLA Bruins coach Mick Cronin jokingly assigned a task to one of his assistant coaches. From Friday, Feb. 13, to Sunday, Feb. 15, the 2026 NBA All-Star Weekend will be held, an annual celebration of the league. This year’s iteration, however, will be hosted by the Los Angeles Clippers on their home court, the Intuit Dome in Inglewood, California.
During a recent media availability, Cronin was asked to share his thoughts on his team’s outlook as a whole, as the 2025-26 college basketball season nears its end. Cronin jokingly remarked that he had actually handed an extraordinary task to one of his assistant coaches, Nemanja “Yogi” Jovanovic. Given Jovanovic’s European background and expertise, Cronin said he asked him to find a unique player.
“ I’ve told Yogi, like, all these agents are in town. I guess it’s the All-Star game here. Get me the, find me the biggest, nastiest vodka-drinking Eastern European you can. It’s what I tell Yogi. He’s meeting with all these agents from all over the world or coming in, I guess. Just find, you know, just find some guy that used to, you know, used to like wrestle bears in Lithuania or something,” Cronin said.
Cronin’s task for Jovanovic likely stems from the fact that there has been an influx of European players in both collegiate hoops and the NBA, who have not only graced the floor but been standouts on it. In fact, this year’s All-Star Game, with its new three-team format, will have a Team World component that features European superstars such as Nikola Jokic, Luka Doncic, Alperen Sengun, Deni Avdija, and others.
The 2025-26 UCLA Bruins Are Currently On A Two-Game Winning Streak
As it currently stands, the UCLA Bruins are looking to push themselves at the end of the season in an attempt to hopefully still make the 2026 NCAA tournament.
While Yogi Jovanovic seeks perhaps the Bruins’ next best player, presumably through the player agents currently in California and through the slew of grassroots events during NBA All-Star Weekend, Cronin looks to improve on UCLA’s current record of 17-7 (9-4 Big Ten).
The Bruins are coming off wins over the Rutgers Scarlet Knights and the Washington Huskies.
Read More: Mick Cronin: ‘I Voted for Him for Player of the Year’ – UCLA Coach Praises Wisconsin’s John Tonje After Big Ten Tournament Win
Also Read: Why Did Mick Cronin’s UCLA Pull Out of CBS Sports Classic?
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