UCLA basketball faces a critical offseason as the 2025 NCAA transfer portal opens, bringing significant roster changes. Following a disappointing season that ended with a second-round NCAA tournament loss to No. 2 seed Tennessee, the Bruins must regroup. With over 750 players entering the portal on day one—more than doubling last year’s total—UCLA must act fast.
The Bruins ranked near the bottom of the Big Ten in rebounding, trailing top teams by nearly 10 boards per game, while free-throw shooting hovered at 71%. Coach Mick Cronin now navigates a roster overhaul while bracing for potential player departures.
Players Exiting UCLA
Devin Williams
After redshirting in 2024-25 to retain eligibility, Williams has entered the portal in search of more playing time. The 6-foot-10, 200-pound forward played sparingly as a freshman in 2023-24, appearing in 10 games while averaging 3.3 minutes, 1.4 points, and 0.7 rebounds.
His most productive outings came early, with six points and two rebounds against Long Island University and four points with one rebound versus USC. However, he struggled for consistent minutes and had four games without a point or rebound. Williams may need to transfer to a lower level for a larger role.
Dylan Andrews
A two-year starter for UCLA, Andrews played in 32 games this past season, starting 29. He posted 6.9 points and 3.4 assists per game as the Bruins reached the Round of 32. His best season came in 2023-24 when he started all 32 games and averaged 12.9 points, 3.7 assists, and 2.2 rebounds. With one year of eligibility left, he seeks a new opportunity.
William Kyle III
Kyle transferred to UCLA after excelling at South Dakota State, where he averaged 13 points and 6.6 rebounds. However, his production declined with the Bruins, posting 2.9 points on 70.4% shooting and 1.8 rebounds across 32 games. Limited playing time likely influenced his decision to transfer.
Players Entering UCLA
Donovan Dent
UCLA men’s basketball has added transfer guard Donovan Dent, who signed a grant-in-aid agreement, head coach Mick Cronin announced Tuesday, April 1. Dent, a 6-foot-2 senior from Riverside, California, spent three seasons at New Mexico, earning Mountain West Player of the Year honors in 2024-25.
He led the conference in scoring (20.4 ppg) and ranked second in assists (6.4 apg) while shooting 49.0% from the field. Nationally, he ranked No. 12 in scoring and No. 10 in assists, earning AP and USBWA honorable mention All-America recognition.
Players That UCLA Can Acquire
Jr. G Jemel Jones
Jones, a junior with a season of Division I experience, earlier dominated at the junior college level, having been Player of the Year of South Suburban College (Illinois) on the NJCAA D2 winning list. He posted a 47.8% throw-shooting record and averaged 18.9 points. His rebounds were 3.6 on a 14-19 Roadrunners team. Bruins coach Mick Cronin prioritizes experienced players, making Jones a potential fit.
Sr. G James White
White, who has played for Ole Miss, UAB, and New Orleans, has averaged 19.2 points and 7.0 rebounds this year. As a newcomer, the experienced defending player with one more year of eligibility may be an asset to a Power Four team and become a leading scorer for UCLA.
Jr. F Michael Rataj
A former teammate of UCLA’s Tyler Bilodeau, Rataj could bolster the Bruins’ frontcourt. The 6-foot-9 forward averaged 16.9 points, 7.2 rebounds, and 2.0 assists while shooting 48.4%.
KEEP READING: Jon Rothstein Criticizes Transfer Portal Opening During March Madness: ‘It’s Cannibalizing the NCAA Tournament’
Fr. C Lathan Sommerville
Sommerville, a 6-foot-10, 275-pound center, showed promise at Rutgers, averaging 8.2 points on 50.6% shooting with 4.1 rebounds. The Peoria, Ill., native posted double figures in 10 games and could add interior strength alongside Aday Mara.
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