![\"Xavier](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/5b6c1bea8302e686ac7b7b279c258c4a.jpeg\"\/)
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Xavier Booker, shown playing for Michigan State last season, is expected spend less time on the perimeter at UCLA than he did with the Spartans. (Michael Reaves \/ Getty Images)<\/p>\n
Where he is as a Bruin could put him on a trajectory to much greater success.<\/p>\n
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After transferring from Michigan State to fill the opening created by Aday Mara’s departure<\/a>, Booker has moved from power forward to center in a career reboot for the former McDonald\u2019s All-American who was more of a small fry with the Spartans, averaging 4.3 points, 2.0 rebounds and 0.6 blocks during two disappointing seasons.<\/p>\n Now he\u2019s literally in the middle of everything the Bruins are doing after accepting Cronin\u2019s pitch to come play under the basket.<\/p>\n \u201cI thought it would be great for me, not only here, but just going along the line in my career,\u201d Booker said. \u201cI mean, I’m 6-11, I\u2019ve got long arms, I could spread the floor, catch lobs, block shots, do a lot of things on the court, so I feel like me playing the five would be great for my future.\u201d<\/p>\n Read more: ‘It just changes things’: Donovan Dent’s arrival quickens UCLA’s pace, pulse<\/a><\/p>\n Advertisement<\/p>\n It\u2019s been an adjustment for a player who grew up with a guard\u2019s skill set even though he was taller than most of his peers. In addition to working on his post moves with big man coach Darren Savino, Booker has absorbed plenty of body blows from new teammate Steven Jamerson II, who is known for his relentlessness around the basket.<\/p>\n \u201cThe constant banging when he spent most of his career outside the three-point line,\u201d Cronin said of Booker, \u201cit’s new for him.\u201d<\/p>\n Going from 242 pounds when he arrived on campus to 250 thanks to the workout regimen prescribed by Dave Andrews, UCLA\u2019s director of basketball performance, has helped ease Booker\u2019s transition. Just as important, the junior\u2019s willingness to embrace Cronin\u2019s coaching has accelerated his improvement.<\/p>\n \u201cIt’s starting to all kind of come together a little bit,\u201d Booker said. \u201cSo I\u2019ve just got to keep working, it\u2019s a day by day thing. But I definitely feel the progress.\u201d<\/p>\n Advertisement<\/p>\n Read more: On the verge of win No. 500, Mick Cronin indicates he’s content at UCLA<\/a><\/p>\n Don\u2019t expect a player who made just 27.3% of his three-pointers at Michigan State to abandon that aspect of his game. He has Cronin\u2019s blessing to shoot from beyond the arc when he\u2019s open.<\/p>\n \u201cObviously, not my main focus,\u201d Booker said of three-pointers, \u201cbut if it’s there, it’s there.\u201d<\/p>\n The cornerstones of Booker\u2019s game will now be doing traditional big-man things and using the speed that could make him a menace in the lob game and on the fast break.<\/p>\n \u201cRunning rim to rim,\u201d Cronin said, \u201che’s as fast as any big guy in the country.\u201d<\/p>\n Advertisement<\/p>\n What makes Booker unique is a blend of skills that could be the envy of every other big man in the Big Ten.<\/p>\n \u201cHe’s super long, super tall, super athletic,\u201d UCLA guard Skyy Clark<\/a> said. \u201cHe can shoot the three ball. He’ll take it in and drive past someone from the three-point line. Go lay it up. I mean, he can do a lot of things.\u201d<\/p>\n UCLA is asking Michigan State transfer Xavier Booker (34) use his height to be a more dominant force inside than he was for the Spartans. (Nick Wass \/ Associated Press)<\/p>\n Some have questioned how Booker could be much different playing for a new coach with so many similarities to his old one, but Cronin said Michigan State counterpart Tom Izzo \u2014 also known for prioritizing toughness and defense \u2014 acknowledged not maximizing Booker\u2019s capabilities.<\/p>\n Advertisement<\/p>\n \u201cHe just said, \u2018Look, I should have done a better job with him,\u2019 \u201d Cronin said of a brief exchange he had with Izzo, \u201cbut I kind of get it. I mean, it was what it was. \u2026 You know, the guy was 200 pounds and played behind the three-point line in high school. It kind of was his career. Then you become 6-11 and now he’s 250.\u201d<\/p>\n If all goes well, put in the right spot, the big man will thrive as a big man.<\/p>\n A drive for five<\/p>\n Consider Clark among those who would strongly consider capitalizing on a possible new rule granting college athletes five seasons of eligibility if a pending lawsuit is successful.<\/p>\n Advertisement<\/p>\n \u201cI’m not against that at all,\u201d Clark said. \u201cI love this place. I love everything that we’re building here right now, and I would love to continue to keep that going.\u201d<\/p>\n Cronin said a fifth season of eligibility would change the calculus for how his front office spent its revenue sharing and name, image and likeness dollars, provided the latter funding becomes available as expected in a return to the free-for-all spending allowed before the House settlement.<\/p>\n \u201cRe-signing Tyler Bilodeau<\/a> and Donovan Dent<\/a> and Skyy Clark and Steven Jamerson,\u201d Cronin said of the players who would be able to return for another season under such a scenario, \u201cwould be much more important than signing 18-year-olds if you’re trying to win.\u201d<\/p>\n![\"Forward](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/d328e632dc20aa0b70cb5953ee327508.jpeg\"\/)
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