UCLA Bruins Continue To Lose Out on Key Transfers

In what has become a worrisome trend for the UCLA Bruins this offseason, another one of their transfer portal targets has snubbed them. This time it’s Tounde Yessoufou.

The 6-foot-5 guard from Benin was a star for Baylor as a freshman last season, averaging 17.8 points and 5.9 rebounds per game while shooting 46 percent from the floor, and 2.0 steals per game on the defensive end. After the season, he entered the transfer portal while also keeping his name in the NBA Draft.

Mar 7, 2026; Waco, Texas, USA; Baylor Bears guard Tounde Yessoufou (24) shoots a free throw during the second half at Paul and Alejandra Foster Pavilion. Mandatory Credit: Chris Jones-Imagn Images | Chris Jones-Imagn Images

Yessoufou Snubs UCLA

A hyper-energetic two-way guard, Yessoufou waited until the very last minute to decide which direction he was taking his basketball career. Ultimately, he decided to come back to college; his destination isn’t quite where UCLA fans hoped he would end up.

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Despite holding interest from UCLA, Yessoufou decided to transfer to St. John’s. He now joins a long list of UCLA targets that have ultimately snubbed the Bruins this offseason, a worrisome sign that Mick Cronin and his staff are unable to recruit at the levels necessary to be competitive.

Mar 7, 2026; Waco, Texas, USA; Baylor Bears guard Tounde Yessoufou (24) dribbles the ball up court against the Utah Utes during the first half at Paul and Alejandra Foster Pavilion. Mandatory Credit: Chris Jones-Imagn Images | Chris Jones-Imagn Images

UCLA’s Portal Misses

Most notably, Yessoufou joins two other marquee transfers that ended up signing elsewhere despite being heavily involved with UCLA. Those two players are John Blackwell and Matt Able.

Blackwell drew interest from UCLA after a very strong season with Wisconsin, during which he averaged over 19 points per game. Blackwell also kept his name in the NBA Draft until earlier this week, when he withdrew. Despite visiting UCLA earlier in the offseason, Blackwell decided to…

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Publish date : 2026-05-29 14:00:00

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