UCLA's Nikola Kusturica, just like Duke's Joaquim Boumtje Boumtje and Texas' Marcus Spears Jr., is a 17-year-old freshman who is so young that he will not be age-eligible for the 2027 NBA Draft. That's why the 6-foot-9 forward signed a multi-year agreement in July with the Big Ten school, and this is all terrible news for every coach in the conference not named Mick Cronin, especially after what Kusturica did late Friday in a 114-63 win over North Florida. If not, you missed a real show.
The former EuroLeague NextGen champion took 12 shots, made 10 of them and finished with 29 points, six rebounds, three assists, two blocks, one steal and zero turnovers in 23 minutes on the court. In the first half -- a first half, by the way, that featured the Bruins going on an incredible 35-0 run -- Kusturica had 26 points on 9-of-9 shooting, including 4 of 4 from 3-point range. "It's all coaching," Cronin said afterward with a grin.
"No, in all seriousness ... it's recruiting, buddy. He's a great player because he does everything on the court. So, like what I'd tell you is, he had no turnovers with the ball in his hands all that time, Nikola.
Which is, for a freshman, unheard of. It's just unheard of." Here's one of many highlights from Friday: UCLA’s Nikola Kusturica is the best prospect in the world. Even better than Duke’s Joaquim Boumjte Boumtje.26 points on 9-for-9 shooting with five rebounds, three assists, two stocks and two dunks … in the first half. pic.twitter.com/SwRtPK4Tje Kusturica is now averaging 19.5 points, 5.5 rebounds, 2.5 assists, 2.5 blocks and 1.5 steals in 31.0 minutes per game while shooting 56.5% from the field.
The multi-talented Serbian is a projected top-three pick in the 2028 NBA Draft, along with Boumtje Boumtje and Spears, and is obviously a major reason why the Bruins remain No. 14 in Saturday morning's updated CBS Sports Top 25 And 1 daily college basketball rankings. Up next for UCLA is Wednesday's game against Arkansas Pine Bluff. The Bruins' next contest against a currently ranked opponent will likely come the day after Thanksgiving, when Cronin's team is expected to meet Texas in the championship game of the Rady Children's Invitational.
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