When I started playing organized basketball as a 9-year-old, I never thought it would take me so far away from my hometown of Belgrade, Serbia. Actually, the original reason I began was that I wanted to be better when playing with my classmates in front of school. Read more...
Photo: Senior guard Lazar Stefanović runs the court at Pauley Pavilion. (Aidan Sun/Assistant Photo editor)
This post was updated May 26 at 10:50 p.m. While every season celebrates its star, it also gives rise to unexpected standouts. Whether through breakout performances or quiet consistency, several Bruins made the leap from role players to program cornerstones. Read more...
Photo: Sophomore center Aday Mara puts up a hook shot in a game against North Carolina. Though he transferred to Michigan at the end of the 2024-2025 season, Mara was a centerpiece in UCLA men’s basketball’s rotations this past year. (Michael Gallagher/Assistant Photo Editor)
This post was updated May 22 at 11:11 p.m. With just softball and baseball remaining in the postseason hunt, UCLA’s first year in the Big Ten is nearly in the books. Read more...
Photo: Members of UCLA women’s water polo stand around coach Adam Wright on the side of the pool. The Bruins’ 2025 season came to a close after a loss in the NCAA semifinal to the Trojans. (Anna Dai-Liu/Daily Bruin senior staff)
UCLA men’s basketball’s (23-11, 13-7 Big Ten) season came to an end after falling 67-58 to Tennessee in the NCAA Tournament Round of 32 at Rupp Arena in Lexington, Kentucky. Read more...
Photo: Members of UCLA men’s basketball gather before facing Tennessee in the NCAA Round of 32 in Lexington, Kentucky. (Zimo Li/Photo editor)
UCLA men’s basketball center Aday Mara – otherwise known as Pauley Pavilion’s sweetheart – will not return to the squad for the 2025-2026 season. The Spanish sophomore phenom, who tantalized the Bruin faithful with a blend of shot blocking, passing wizardry and interior scoring, is planning to continue his career away from Westwood. Bruin Report Online first reported the news Monday evening, which was later confirmed by two sources familiar with the situation, according to the Los Angeles Times. Read more...
Photo: Former UCLA men’s basketball sophomore center Aday Mara looks toward the paint. Bruin Report Online reported Monday evening that Mara will not be returning to Westwood for the 2025-2026 season. (Aidan Sun/Assistant Photo editor)
This post was updated March 30 at 9:27 p.m. UCLA men’s basketball sophomore guard Sebastian Mack entered the transfer portal Saturday afternoon, according to 247Sports. A sixth man for the Bruins this season, Mack was often hailed for providing a spark off the bench when coach Mick Cronin’s squad was starved of offensive momentum. Read more...
Photo: Sophomore guard Sebastian Mack looks down during an interview with FOX Sports after a game. Mack entered the transfer portal Saturday afternoon, according to 247Sports. (Michael Gallagher/Assistant Photo editor)
This post was updated March 30 at 9:33 p.m. Former New Mexico guard and reigning Mountain West Player of the Year Donovan Dent committed to UCLA men’s basketball Friday evening. The news – initially reported by On3 before Dent posted a photo of himself in a Bruin jersey on Instagram – comes just two days after former Bruin guard Dylan Andrews entered the transfer portal, leaving coach Mick Cronin without a starting floor general. [Related: UCLA men’s basketball guard Dylan Andrews enters transfer portal] Arguably the most coveted player in the portal, Dent was reportedly deciding between UCLA, Kentucky and Gonzaga after parting ways with New Mexico on Tuesday. Read more...
Photo: Former New Mexico guard Donovan Dent holds the Mountain West regular season trophy after New Mexico defeated UNLV 81-67 on March 7. After entering the transfer portal Tuesday, Dent announced his commitment to UCLA on Friday evening via Instagram. (Courtesy of Liliana Esparza)
