No. 4 on UCLA’s all-time player list belongs to a Bruin who rarely had to choose between personal production and team success, because he delivered both at the highest level.
Wicks arrived in Westwood for the 1968-69 season and immediately became part of something rare in college basketball. As a freshman, he averaged 7.5 points and 5.1 rebounds per game while UCLA rolled to a 29-1 record and beat Purdue by 20 points to win the national championship.
His role grew fast from there. In his sophomore season, UCLA finished 28-2 and again cut down the nets, this time against Jacksonville.
Wicks was a major force that year, putting up 18.6 points and 11.9 rebounds per game. He led the conference in total points, total rebounds, and rebounds per game, and he was named the Most Outstanding Player of the tournament.
By his senior year, he was even better. Wicks averaged 21.3 points and 12.8 rebounds, tops on the Bruins in both categories, as UCLA went 29-1 and claimed another title with a win over Villanova in 1971.
The individual honors piled up too. Wicks was named National Player of the Year by the USBWA and The Sporting News in 1971 and finished his college career as a two-time consensus All-American.
Add in the fact that he won three straight national championships and lost only four games during his entire college career, and his place near the top of this list makes perfect sense. Wicks stands as one of the most decorated players in John Wooden’s dynasty.
His success didn’t stop in college. Wicks was selected second overall in the draft, spent the first half of his NBA career with the Portland Trail Blazers, and won Rookie of the Year in the 1971-72 season. He went on to become a four-time All-Star and a reliable scoring presence at the pro level.
At UCLA, though, his legacy is defined by how much he helped win. His No. 35 jersey is one of the few retired numbers in Bruins history, a fitting tribute for a player whose resume is loaded with titles, production, and hardware.
In Other News...
UCLA Just Made A Big Student Section Push At The Perfect Time
UCLA Athletics is making a major student-section play at a time when the Bruins could use every bit of energy they can get. Starting Saturday, admission to all regular-season home football, mens basketball and womens basketball games will be free for UCLA students, a move that should make it easier to pack the seats and give the program a more consistent home-edge feel across its biggest sports.
Students will be able to claim complimentary tickets through their student ticket accounts, and those who already bought 2026-27 Den Passes are set to receive refunds. The school also outlined details on guest tickets and transportation options, a sign UCLA is not just opening the door wider but trying to make the whole game-day experience simpler for students to show up and stay involved. [Read more 🡒]
UCLA Defense Is Showing Real Promise Despite One Lingering Concern
UCLAs Week Two win over San Diego State offered another encouraging sign that the defense is starting to take shape, even if there is still one area worth watching. The interior defensive line held up well enough overall, and the edge rush helped squeeze the Aztecs passing game into just 45 yards while the secondary erased much of what was available downfield.
Jalen Woods and Sammy Omosigho were especially noticeable in the middle, with Woods coming away with an interception and both linebackers helping create tackles for loss. The front seven and the defensive backfield both flashed in ways the Bruins can build on, but the run defense gave up 144 rushing yards, leaving one lingering concern for a unit that otherwise looked increasingly reliable. [Read more 🡒]
Congress Is Closing In On A College Sports Shakeup Bruins Should Watch
The next big college sports shakeup is moving closer on Capitol Hill, and UCLA has every reason to keep an eye on it. The Senate voted 74-24 to advance the Protect College Sports Act, a bill meant to give college athletics an antitrust exemption, and a full vote is expected soon. Supporters, including some senators and Ted Cruz, argue it could stabilize a system that has been under constant legal pressure, while the proposal also includes athlete representation on governing boards and limits on coaches pay.
For schools like UCLA, the intrigue is not just whether the bill passes, but what version of college sports it would actually create. Labor and civil rights groups have pushed back hard, warning the measure could restrict athletes rights, especially around collective bargaining, while it leaves the question of student-athlete employee status untouched. If this moves forward, the Bruins may soon be dealing with a new national framework before the sports biggest unresolved debate is even settled. [Read more 🡒]