The 2023 UCLA basketball team would see a big regression. Which was expected since they lost so much talent to the NBA and overseas. But ultimately the window to win a championship closed and a new one would need to try and open up. Both leaders in Jaime Jaquez Jr. and Tyger Campbell were not going to be replaced. But getting Adem Bona back for another year would help the defense again. While they hoped the backcourt of Dylan Andrews and Sebastian Mack could work together.
Adem Bona - UCLA (2023-24)
- 1x Pac-12 DPOY
- 2x Pac-12 All-Defense
- 1x All-Pac-12
- 1x Pac-12 ROY
- 66 Games, 10.1 PPG, 5.6 REB, 1.7 BLK
pic.twitter.com/t12rEElTuo
— Philly Athletes in College (@PhillyUSports) June 27, 2024
Lazar Stefanovic was a good transfer that Mick Cronin and staff were able to pick up. The team was a mixed bag of results. They possessed one of the worst offenses in the nation. Only putting up 66 points per night. Which was good for 337th in the nation and a lot of the offensive metrics finished bottom 25. But their defense was really good and mostly in the top 25 in statistical categories. Only giving up 65.5 points per game which put them at 19th in the nation. Leading to a 16-17 record on the season.
This was also the start of the Aday Mara era which ultimately was viewed as an interesting one. Many people believe he did not get a good opportunity with UCLA in his two years. Ultimately leading to him transferring to Michigan after the 2024 season and becoming a star. UCLA filled the roster with overseas talent to try and take a new route to the NIL era. They also brought in Berke Buyuktuncel. It was an intriguing decision to go that way but did not work out as Stefanovic, Buyuktuncel, Mara and Jan Vide did not work out as hoped.
Check out towering Spanish pro (7'3" Aday Mara)...If UCLA can close the deal and get this kid, that would be huge! He is expected to be one of the first picks in the 2024 NBA draft. 👀 🔊 #GoBruins pic.twitter.com/BqiEUaxCN7
— UCLA🏀Memories (@UCLA_HoopsStuff) April 10, 2023
This was a disappointing season. It started to lead to questions whether Mick Cronin was the best for the position. He was still trying to ride high off of the 2020 success of going to the Final Four. All of his stars were now gone, and he would see a lot more players leave after this season. The players that would stay would not regress as hoped. The 2024 season would get better but nowhere near the standards of a UCLA basketball team.