SCOUTING UCLA's FRESHMAN CLASS: ADAY MARA 🇪🇸, JAN VIDE 🇸🇮, BERKE BUYUKTUNCEL 🇹🇷, ILANE FIBLEUIL 🇫🇷 

Mack has been playing well. He’s getting to the free throw line at will basically and his physicality is impressive for a freshman. I still want to see him create his own jumper, though, and facilitate more for others.

Thanks and will do! Appreciate the support 🤲

Thanks for watching! Really appreciate that!

Thanks, truly appreciate that!

Thanks for watching! Excited to watch UCLA this season too (and beyond - they’ve done a great job recruiting for the most part lately)

Keep an eye on Brandon Williams too. I've watched him in person for Christ the King and he immediately caught my eye. He's super young for the class of 2023, as well. I also like Devin Williams. Maybe not for this season (he'll be behind Bona and Mara), but he has a history of winning at Centennial and some NBA pedigree in his family.

100% BRO Podcast is saying some positive things. Going to be interesting to see who becomes the go to finisher for the squad. @@FloorandCeiling

McCrapdung will never be a shooter. Wasted scholarship

I think he’s gonna be great. Underrated prospect imo, real NBA guy. Plays and thinks the game the right way, understands how to leverage his shooting, and makes others better with his playmaking on both ends of the floor. Only real question mark is how his limited athleticism translates stateside

So far, Mara and Bona have only shared the floor together for basically one game. A lot of minutes together vs. LIU, which wasn't a high level opponent, and then only a few against Gonzaga before Mara got three quick fouls and only played six total minutes. Against LIU, I thought they looked good. Bona has the mobility and quickness to play the 4, so he can defend against smaller opponents. This also means Mara doesn't have to leave the paint, which he is uncomfortable doing at this stage. And even when Mara suffered physically in the post, Bona had the length and quickness to help him recover. At the same time, it's true that I'm completely unsure how this pairing will work offensively long term. Maybe this is a question that doesn't need any answers, particularly if Mara wants to stay at UCLA for more than a season and isn't planning to be a one-and-done (Bona should 100% leave for the NBA after his sophomore year). But, despite some of the flashes Bona has shown of a more expansive game, he is still a paint-oriented big. The same goes for Mara, so the few things that could work right now are one in the high post (Mara) and one in the low (Bona). Or potentially, one big being the pick-and-roll screener, while the other stays close to the basket to receive. As for Mick Cronin, it is a fair point but I'd say the same could be said for any freshmen, even those who aren't international. Devin Williams and Brandon Williams are barely playing despite being highly-regarded prospects and, going back to a recent example in Peyton Watson, he had a very short leash at UCLA as a freshman. That's why I've seen some people argue that UCLA is a difficult destination for a freshman if they plan to enter the NBA Draft immediately after. Cronin is a defense-first coach, which poses a challenge for almost every first-year player, but it can also be a positive for the long term.

Bona looked like a emerging team leader at the LIU game. And his body looked so much more developed and stronger than any other Bruin, especially Mara. Mara's ability to move was impressive for a player his height, but he sometimes seemed hesitant to engage. At one point in the LIU game the fans literally gasped when he didn't take an up-close open shot. But confidence is high he'll show more confidence as the season progresses.

In January 2024 it seems that Bona and Mara are not compatible (at least for the coach), nor does Cronin seem the right coach for such a "European" project.

I think that's fair enough. After all, it's only the first mock draft before the bulk of the season so there can still be a lot of movement. Plus, there was lots of FIBA play during the summer and the European season starts early so getting a gauge of those players is easier at this stage. Predictions for potential risers: Risacher, Bona, Salaun, Topic Potential fallers: Almansa (more top 25 than top 10), Buzelis (I already have him lower than most, but more top 10 than top 3), Ariel Hukporti (maybe teams might see him as more of a second rounder), Cadeau (he's on a two-year plan at UNC but I like his game a lot, so it was worth mentioning him this early), Fibleuil (Mick Cronin might have a short leash on him, but we'll see)

I see some Nicolas Batum in him. Thanks for watching 🙏

Well seen!!!, it is true, he has a certain resemblance to Kukoc.

Increasingly so, but not a surprise given Ivo Simovic’s recruitment track record. He’s on the Raptors now so let’s see if this continues, but the goodwill that UCLA has in Europe and the emphasis it has put on recruiting too European prospects will go a long way now and in the future.

😂

Stay tuned for more content! But I will say, I think it generally just comes down to a combination of Mick Cronin being tough on his freshmen (this has been a recurring theme for him - sometimes it works like with Jaime Jaquez and Tyger Campbell or even more recently Peyton Watson, sometimes it doesn't) and then all of these European prospects having to adjust to a new style+speed of basketball and an entirely different life abroad.

@@FloorandCeiling do you think Coach Cronin should play Vide Fibluei and Aday more? And play lazar DA and Mack less? I feel like the starters (maybe except DA) have yet earned their respective playing time

@@Pat_Y87 I think Mack has been among the brighter spots, if only because he's really good at putting pressure on the rim. Stefanovic and Dylan Andrews haven't played well at all. They can't finish at the rim and can't shoot from three. I'd like to see more Fibleuil, who I think can be a really good glue guy who makes athletic plays and can shoot from deep. Not sure why his leash is so short. More Brandon Williams would also be good. Also not sure why Devin Williams hasn't gotten a chance with Nwuba not impressing (again).

@@FloorandCeiling Nwuba has been there forever, and yet, still fail to impress under the paint. His foul trouble also frustrates me. Definitely would love to see D Will and possibly Aday more. Hopefully the physical trainers there have put Aday on a strength regimen, cuz his body is def not ready for college ball or the nba

​@@FloorandCeilingBerke is bad playing. Berke is very talented but he'll more good play 2024-25 season.

How come?

I'm guessing you're referring to Aday Mara. I don't think he is bad offensively. He's a great facilitator who's only going to get better as his body also improves and he can get deeper into the paint, collapse defenses more, etc. But as a scorer, I think he is pretty limited right now. He cannot create for himself (which is fine for a 7-3 center) and, even though he has flashes of a jump shot, it's almost only from around the free throw line. I think there's a reason why he barely shoots any three-pointers.

I was surprised he fell completely out of UCLA's rotation as the season went on. He was important for them in Hawaii. Regardless, he's a pretty talented guy other teams (and the NBL imo) should be looking at.

Jan Vide. The second one.