Nikola Kusturica, potential No. 1 pick in 2028, signs with UCLA basketball

Top international recruit Nikola Kusturica signed with UCLA basketball on Thursday, July 9, landing coach Mick Cronin arguably the best prospect of the 2028 NBA Draft.

Kusturica, from Serbia, is 17 years old and will play college basketball for at least two years, as he’s two years away from being eligible for the NBA draft. The 6-foot-9 forward is the youngest player to ever appear for FC Barcelona’s senior team.

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He chose the Bruins over Kentucky, Michigan and Gonzaga, according to reports.

“Nikola is an elite prospect with great size, skill and a competitive fire which is hard to find,” Cronin said in UCLA’s announcement. “As a 6-foot-9 guard, he can play all over the floor. He impacts the game as a scorer, playmaker and shot blocker. For a very young player, Nik has had a decorated career with the Serbian national team and his club team in Barcelona.

“UCLA appreciates the support of his international team and his club for their cooperation and development of Nikola.”

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Kusturica averaged 24.6 points with 6.9 rebounds in the FIBA Under-17 World Cup from June 27 to July 5 in Turkey. He also won Best Defensive Player after averaging 2.3 steals and 1.7 blocks per game, and scored 37 points against the United States in Serbia’s gold-medal game loss.

Kusturica was also named MVP of the 2025 FIBA Under-16 Eurobasket tournament in Tbilisi, Georgia, after averaging 20 points with 7.7 rebounds and 3.4 assists per game, leading Serbia to its first title at the tournament since 2007. He scored 18 points with 14 rebounds, eight assists and five steals in the championship game.

One of he youngest players in college basketball will likely play a huge role from the start for the Bruins, which has signed multiple European recruits in the past year. Cronin signed Mississippi State transfer Sergej Macura and Auburn transfer Filip Jovic in the transfer portal this…

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Publish date : 2026-07-09 19:50:00

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