By JAMES MADDEN
UCLA landed one of the most highly-coveted European talents last season in Nikola Kusturica when he committed to the Bruins on a multi-year agreement in July.
At just 17 years old, Kusturica is projected to be one of the top picks in the 2028 NBA Draft, but will be ineligible for the 2027 NBA Draft due to his age.
UCLA head coach Mick Cronin spoke with the media in Los Angeles on Tuesday about recruiting Kusturica and competing with Michigan, Gonzaga and Kentucky for him.
“”Because of the way the recruiting world is, you get told certain things,” Cronin said. “Other schools try to scare you. And it backfired on all of them with him. He wanted to be coached. He didn’t want to be lied to.”
Kusturica was one of the breakout stars of the 2026 FIBA U17 World Cup for Team Serbia, averaging 24.6 points per game for his home nation.
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