The UCLA Bruins are one of college basketball’s iconic brands.<\/p>\n
The school in southern California has won 11 national titles and reached the Final 4 19 times, but the Bruins haven’t sat atop the NCAA throne since 1995. Even during UCLA’s 20-year title drought, though, the team has produced multiple NBA Draft picks, including 2017 MVP Russell Westbrook.<\/p>\n
This year, Mick Cronin’s team has the chance to be title contenders after reaching the second round of the NCAA Tournament in 2025. The Bruins brought back a few key players, and added high-profile targets in the transfer portal, as well.<\/p>\n
Heading into the 2025-26 season, here are three players on the Bruins roster who could be selected in the 2026 NBA Draft with strong years in the Big Ten.<\/p>\n
A powerful athlete who transferred to Los Angeles from Michigan State, Booker is listed at 6-foot-11 and 245 pounds on UCLA’s roster.<\/p>\n
In two seasons with the Spartans, Booker never earned a significant spot in the rotation, averaging 12.8 minutes per game as a sophomore for Tom Izzo and company. The big man from Indianapolis put up 4.7 points and 2.2 rebounds per game while shooting 41.7% from the field in 2024-25.<\/p>\n
Booker was a five-star recruit coming out of high school, rated the No. 11 overall player and No. 2 center in the 2023 cycle by 247Sports. If the Bruins’ center can find a rhythm in Cronin’s scheme, he has enough size and athleticism to garner attention from NBA teams.<\/p>\n
Booker should receive more opportunity on the floor at UCLA than he had at Michigan State.<\/p>\n
A versatile wing who started his career at Oklahoma State, Dailey transferred to UCLA after one year with the Cowboys.<\/p>\n
Listed at 6-foot-8 and 230 pounds, Dailey averaged 11.4 points, four rebounds, 1.4 assists and 1.3 steals per game while shooting 50.7% from the field and 37.8% from 3-point range with the Bruins in 2024-25.<\/p>\n
Now, entering his junior season, Dailey could play his way into the 2026 class with another solid campaign. The former IMG Academy standout was rated the No. 38 player and No. 9 power forward in the 2023 cycle by 247Sports coming out of high school.<\/p>\n
Dent has logged the most production of all three players at the collegiate level.<\/p>\n
A four-star recruit rated outside the top 100 prospects in the 2022 class by 247Sports, Dent started his career at New Mexico. The Los Angeles-area product spent three years with the Lobos, tallying 20.4 points, 6.4 assists, 2.3 rebounds and 1.4 steals per game as a junior.<\/p>\n
Listed at 6-foot-2, Dent’s height will likely be a concern for NBA teams, but if he turns in a strong year against Big Ten competition, the 2025 Mountain West Conference Player of the Year should have a chance at being selected in the second round.<\/p>\n
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