“Poor Kid Got Duped”: Fans React as Mick Cronin Reportedly Beats Mark Pope to 6’9” Star’s Signing

July 10, 2026 College Basketball

In a major win for Mick Cronin, UCLA has reportedly secured the signing of Nikola Kusturica, amid major competition from other programs, including Kentucky. The 17-year-old is reportedly signing a multi-year deal with UCLA and will be eligible to declare for the NBA draft in 2028.

Kusturica is already being considered a first-round pick in the 2028 NBA draft owing to his enormous potential and ability as a teenager. Plying his trade at FC Barcelona, he averaged 24.6 points and 6.9 boards at the U17 World Cup, getting noticed by scouts all around the college basketball circuit.

Fans had their say on the signing in the comments section as Kusturica prepares his journey across the pond to further his playing career.

Kentucky fans also chimed in after missing out on one of their key targets.

Nikola Kusturica Reportedly Set to Make Millions in NIL Money

With UCLA reportedly his destination, Nikola Kusturica is going to make a lot of money by playing college basketball in the USA, with some reports suggesting he’ll make $12 million in NIL-related earnings with this move alone.

UCLA are clearly going big on the teenage sensation, but at 6-foot-9 and still growing, Kusturica has the potential to be one of the tallest and most impactful players in college basketball in the coming season. Already with decent EuroLeague experience, Kusturica comes as an almost ready-made article with some fine-tuning needed, and UCLA might just be the place to get it done.

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“Poor Kid Got Duped”: Fans React as Mick Cronin Reportedly Beats Mark Pope to 6’9” Star’s Signing

Nikola Kusturica Reportedly Set to Make Millions in NIL Money

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