The UCLA Bruins will lose four players this season to the NBA Draft, with the possibility of a fifth one, which means UCLA will need elevated performance from these up-n-comers
The UCLA Bruins will lose Kyle Anderson and Zach LaVine to the NBA draft this season. Leading scorer Jordan Adams will also test the draft waters. With so many key players leaving, a few of their understudies will be expected to pick up the production next season under head coach Steve Alford, who is currently entangled in the throws of a massive recruiting/rebuilding trip.
Anderson who was runner up for Pac-12 Player of the Year after he averaged 14.9 points, 8.8 rebounds, and 6.6 assists in the 2013-14 season. Anderson, will be incredibly difficult to replace but it is possible to fill some of the production he provided. It all starts with Mcdonald’s All-American Kevon Looney. Looney is the 12th overall prospect in the nation according to ESPN.
Looney is similar to Anderson in the sense that they can handle the ball and have a tremendous feel for the game. Looney isn’t a point guard like Anderson was this season, but is capable of handling point forward duties at times. Unlike Anderson, Looney has much better shooting range coming out of high school. If Looney produces as an All-American should, Anderson won’t be missed as much as one thinks.
LaVine began his freshman campaign with a bang in non-conference play, but will be easier to replace than Anderson. LaVine averaged 14.2 points in his first nine games, looking like an early favorite for Pac-12 Freshman of the Year. But once conference play began, he stumbled and his playing time dipped a bit. LaVine is reportedly leaving because he was unhappy with the way he was used this season.
“It’s like a marriage,” Zach’s father Paul LaVine told the Daily News. “If it doesn’t work out, you get a divorce. I don’t blame anybody.”
While it was extremely likely that LaVine would’ve been one of the better players in the conference if he stayed, he will have some good players replacing him. Isaac Hamilton, who was the 32nd ranked prospect according to ESPN for class of 2013, redshirted last season after being denied eligibility to play after breaking his commitment to UTEP.
Norman Powell, who ended the year strongly with a 22-point game against Stanford, 15 against Tulsa and Arizona, and 16 against SF Austin will return for his senior season. If Powell begins next year where he left off in the last few weeks of this season, there’s a good chance that he can be an all-Pac 12 player. Overall Powell, Hamilton, and Bryce Alford (8 ppg) will fill in nicely for LaVine.
Adams averaged 17.4 points, 5.3 rebounds, and was one of the best in the nation at getting steals averaging 2.6. It seems the chances of Adams coming back are equivalent to the flip of a coin. If Adams chooses to come back the Bruins will be a Pac-12 contender and should have a similar season to this past one in terms of success. If Adams decides to head to the NBA, the Bruins will heavily rely on Hamilton be a guy who can come in and score 15-17 points right away. I’m not saying that it isn’t possible but it is less likely he becomes the Bruins focal point right away. If Adams decides to leave that will put pressure on Looney to perform at a very high level.
David and Travis Wear’s leadership and mid-range jumpers will certainly be missed, but their departures are certainly nothing to cry about as the Bruins are bringing three front court recruits in and have Tony Parker returning. Along with Looney, UCLA will bring in another all-american in Thomas Welsh (ranked 36th overall on ESPN) and Jonah Bolden (ranked 69 overall on ESPN). These four players will make Bruins fans easily forget the Wear twins despite their solid production.
Overall, the Bruins will be in good hands as they have loads of talent coming in and staying, but if Adams returns expect another run in the big dance.
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