UCLA’s backcourt has grabbed most of the attention, and for good reason. Trent Perry is back, Jaylen Petty is right there with him, and that pairing gives the Bruins a real jolt on offense. Add Serbian star Nikola Kusturica at small forward, and the top of the rotation starts to look dangerous, especially when the ball is in their hands.
But the piece that could swing UCLA’s season may be the one in the middle. Xavier Booker is back, and Mick Cronin appears to be betting big on what Booker can become.
Last season, Booker averaged 7.3 points and 3.5 rebounds while playing about 20 minutes per game. This year, with a bigger role as the starting center, UCLA needs more than flashes.
Booker doesn’t have to be a primary scorer every night, but he does need to affect games in other ways. Rebounding is part of that.
So is using his size and athleticism to give the Bruins something they can lean on inside. If his minutes climb, his numbers should climb with them.
The defensive side matters just as much. Booker’s ability to block shots and protect the rim could change how UCLA plays on the perimeter. If guards know help is behind them, they can be more aggressive up top.
There’s also depth to consider. UCLA brought in Auburn transfer Filip Jovic this offseason, but at 6'8", his center value may be limited. That leaves a lot riding on Booker’s development.
The Bruins’ ceiling is tied closely to the backcourt, but Booker might be the player who decides how high that ceiling really goes. If he reaches his potential, he could be the difference in where UCLA lands this season.
In Other News...
UCLA Suddenly Has A Linebacker Battle Worth Watching
UCLAs linebacker room just got a little more interesting with the addition of Trent Hendrick, who entered the transfer portal and was granted a fifth year of eligibility before committing to the Bruins for his final college football season. He arrives as another experienced piece for a group that already includes Sammy Omosigho, Jalen Woods, Drew Spinogatti and Donovyn Pellot, giving the staff another option as it sorts out the rotation.
Hendrick may not be in line to open the season as a starter, but there is a clear path to more snaps if he settles in quickly. For UCLA, that makes this less about a simple depth add and more about a late-summer competition worth tracking, especially if the Bruins want to keep the linebacker spot productive as the year wears on. [Read more 🡒]
UCLA Just Added A Veteran Linebacker This Defense Might Need
UCLAs defense picked up a notable boost with the addition of linebacker Trent Hendrick, who committed after a Louisiana court granted him a temporary restraining order against the NCAA, opening the door to one more season of eligibility. Hendrick arrives with real pedigree from James Madison, where he spent four seasons and earned Sun Belt Defensive Player of the Year honors in 2025, giving the Bruins a veteran presence at a spot that rarely has enough of it.
The move also deepens the connection between UCLA and coach Bob Chesney, since Hendrick now joins him in Westwood after previously playing for him at James Madison. Hendrick is the 11th player to follow Chesney to UCLA, and he comes in as the most experienced player on the roster, a detail that matters for a Bruins defense still taking shape heading into the next phase of roster building. [Read more 🡒]
UCLAs Bowl Hopes May Come Down To Nico And One Major Fix
UCLAs path out of a 3-9 season starts with a simple idea: the Bruins have enough offensive pieces and a workable schedule to look more dangerous in their first real Big Ten run. The challenge is making the attack under Bob Chesney efficient enough to carry more weight, with Nico Iamaleava at the center of everything. His talent gives UCLA a chance to be better than last years record suggests, and the overall setup at least gives the Bruins a shot to stay in the mix longer than they did a season ago.
What still keeps the ceiling from rising too fast is whether the offense can be steady enough to offset the issues in the middle of the defense. UCLAs interior line has been reshuffled, and the run defense remains the area that could undo any progress if it does not come together. For the Bruins, the formula is clear even if the finish is not yet: improve on the line, get more consistency from Iamaleava, and suddenly a bowl chase stops looking like a stretch. [Read more 🡒]