UCLA Basketball Top 20 Players of All Time: No. 4

When ranking the best 20 players in UCLA’s history, it’s hard to separate individual success from team championships.

Fortunately, we don’t have to separate the two for the legendary Bruin coming in at No. 4 on the list.

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UCLA Basketball Top 20 Players of All Time: No. 4 Sidney Wicks

Jan 23, 1971; South Bend, IN, USA; FILE PHOTO; UCLA Bruins forward Sidney Wicks (35) in action against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish at the Joyce Center during the 1970-71 season. Mandatory Credit: Malcolm Emmons-USA TODAY Sports | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

Wicks was a part of something that only a few people in college basketball history can relate to. During his three-year run at UCLA, Wicks played on a team that won the National Championship every year.

Wicks joined the Bruins in the 1968-69 season, when he averaged 7.5 points and 5.1 rebounds per game. That season, the Bruins went 29-1 and dominated Purdue by 20 points to become national champions.

Jan 23, 1971; South Bend, IN, USA; FILE PHOTO; UCLA Bruins forward Sidney Wicks (35) at the Joyce Center during the 1970-71 season. Mandatory Credit: Malcolm Emmons-USA TODAY Sports | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

In his sophomore season, he won one fewer game, as UCLA went 28-2, but still won the National Championship against Jacksonville. Wicks was a major contributor in his second season, averaging 18.6 points and 11.9 rebounds per game. He led the conference in total points, total rebounds, and rebounds per game. He was also named the Most Outstanding Player of the tournament.

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Wick’s Best Season at UCLA

However, his senior season would be even better. Wicks averaged 21.3 points and 12.8 rebounds, leading UCLA in both categories. The Bruins went 29-1 again and captured yet another national title by defeating Villanova in 1971.

Mar 25, 1971; Houston, TX, USA; FILE PHOTO; UCLA Bruins forward Sidney Wicks (35) in action against the Kansas Jayhawks during the semifinals of the NCAA Men’s Final Four at the Astrodome. The Bruins defeated…

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Publish date : 2026-09-16 12:00:00

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