This Player Could Be Key to Deep UCLA Tournament Run

We’ve seen and talked about the backcourt for this UCLA team this season. Bringing back Trent Perry and allowing him to play alongside Jaylen Petty should give UCLA a pretty explosive offensive punch in the backcourt.

Serbian star Nikola Kusturica will assume the small forward position, and UCLA’s first three are looking exceptional, especially on the offensive side of the ball.

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Backcourt Is Strength of This Team

Mar 20, 2026; Philadelphia, PA, USA; UCLA Bruins guard Trent Perry (0) shoots the ball in the second half during a first round game of the men’s 2026 NCAA Tournament at Xfinity Mobile Arena. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

Right now, the UCLA backcourt makes it easy to feel confident in this team. The production that Perry and Petty bring is easy to get behind, and we know Kusturica can easily be a top player in all of college basketball this season.

The backcourt is where things get interesting. Eric Dailey returned to UCLA as a double-digit scorer last season and gives the Bruins some versatility in the backcourt, as well as production. Xavier Booker also returned, and it looks like Mick Cronin is banking on the development and potential that Booker brings.

Mar 22, 2026; Philadelphia, PA, USA; UCLA Bruins center Xavier Booker (1) attempts to get a rebound against the UConn Huskies in the second half during a second round game of the men’s 2026 NCAA Tournament at Xfinity Mobile Arena. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

However, Booker’s success this season could be the difference between a 3-4 seed and an eight or nine. Last season, Booker averaged 7.3 points per game and only 3.5 rebounds. As the starting center for the Bruins, Booker is going to have to get more boards off the glass.

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While the offense may run through the backcourt, Booker is going to have to find ways to impact the game if it isn’t necessarily scoring. Granted, Booker only played about 20…

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Publish date : 2026-08-23 10:21:00

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