Mick Cronin, the head coach of the UCLA Bruins, is making significant moves to bolster his roster for the future. After not signing any high school recruits in the 2025 class, Cronin has secured three promising players for the 2026 class.
Among them is forward Joe Philion, expected to be a steady presence off the bench. Additionally, Cronin has added three-star power forward Javonte Floyd and international prospect Gunars Grinvalds, both of whom are considered more developmental but could contribute valuable minutes as they grow.
Looking ahead, Cronin is already setting his sights on the 2027 high school class, and the early signs are promising. Four-star prospect Kevin Savage has included UCLA in his final six schools, with a decision expected on July 5th. Savage, a 5-11 point guard, will announce his college choice on CBS Sports HQ, with his list featuring other notable programs like Auburn, Florida State, Georgia, Georgia Tech, and Purdue.
Ranked 41st nationally in the 2027 class, 13th among point guards, and sixth in the state of Georgia, Savage is a highly sought-after recruit. UCLA is in a strong position to land him, though they face stiff competition from Georgia Tech and Georgia, which offer the allure of staying close to home.
Despite his smaller stature, Savage plays with immense confidence and is known for his fearless drives to the basket. His game is characterized by a solid handle, excellent pacing, and a knack for making smart, efficient plays.
Savage isn't the flashiest player on the court, but his ability to manage a game and make the right basketball decisions makes him a valuable asset. His shooting touch and ball-handling skills further enhance his appeal.
During his stint at the Adidas 3SSB Circuit, Savage showcased his scoring prowess, averaging a team-high 20.8 points per game, alongside 2.1 rebounds, 1.6 assists, and 1.8 steals. His performance underscored his ability to excel on both ends of the floor.
As UCLA looks to the future, the potential departure of current point guard Trent Perry to the NBA after a stellar junior season could open the door for Savage. Should he choose the Bruins, Savage could step in and compete for the starting point guard role in the 2027 season, potentially becoming a key figure in Cronin's lineup.
In Other News...
These Overlooked Bruins Are Suddenly In UCLAs Starting Picture
A few months ago, the conversation around UCLAs offense and defense centered on who might emerge from the transfer pile and the returning core. Now, a handful of overlooked names are pushing their way into the starting picture, with a San Jose State receiver bringing proven production, Aiden Gobaira arriving after showing real disruption at James Madison, and Mikey Matthews back in line to be a key part of the passing game.
The appeal with those three is different, but the common thread is simple: they look like players who can fill real roles right away rather than wait their turn. The wideout from San Jose State enters the fall with a rsum that suggests No. 1 receiver potential, Gobaira comes with a track record of tackles and backfield pressure, and Matthews is the Bruins lead returning receiver with a strong hold on the slot. The only remaining question is how firmly those projections translate once the season settles in. [Read more 🡒]
UCLA Just Lost A Key Voice From Its Championship Staff
Even in the glow of UCLAs first Division I womens basketball national title, the Bruins are dealing with the kind of staff turnover that can ripple well beyond one offseason. Assistant coach Tasha Brown, a central part of Cori Closes program for the past eight years, has moved on after helping shape one of the most successful stretches in school history, a run that included 208 wins, seven March Madness trips and two Final Four appearances before the breakthrough 78-51 championship victory.
Browns departure matters because she was more than a background figure on a title staff. She was a key voice in the gym, working on shooting development and the teams mental side through its Mind Gym program while helping players such as Kiki Rice and Gabriela Jaquez take steps forward. Close acknowledged the loss with a statement that reflected both gratitude and the challenge ahead, and now UCLA has to replace a coach whose fingerprints were all over the programs rise. [Read more 🡒]
These Bruins Could Define Mick Cronins Most Important UCLA Season
Mick Cronin is heading into his eighth season at UCLA with the kind of rsum that buys patience almost anywhere else: more than 160 wins, multiple Sweet 16 trips and that 2021 run to the Final Four. But the recent arc has been less forgiving, with the Bruins missing the NCAA Tournament in 2024 and going out in the second round in each of the last two seasons, which is why this winter feels so loaded for a program that still expects to matter in March.
So much of that pressure lands on a core that is still being defined. Booker remains the wild card, a former top-five recruit who has flashed enough to keep people interested but has yet to fully become that player at this level, while Perry is being asked to move from useful fill-in to primary option after handling the job when Skyy Clark was injured last season. Add in transfer guards Petty and Robinson, plus freshman Philon as the headliner of the incoming class, and the Bruins have the sort of roster that could stabilize Cronins tenure or leave the questions hanging well into the season. [Read more 🡒]