UCLA Basketball: Writer Lists 4 Ex-Bruins Among 20 Best Of Past Decade

Though this year's UCLA Bruins team has much to look forward to with a newly revamped roster, previous versions of the UCLA men's basketball team have provided many memories and some great ball players over the years. 

Listed among the best Pac-12 players of the decade, four Bruins made the cut in the eyes of FanSided scribe Joey Loose, including someone who stole national headlines for his activity both on and off the court as the list's second best player. 

Spouting off numbers doesn’t really tell the whole story of Lonzo Ball’s success, but he had an incredible freshman season. He was a First Team All-American, Pac-12 Rookie of the Year, and was a finalist for the Wooden Award. He was the national leader in assists with 274 on the season and was the most efficient shooter in the Pac-12. Ball when then drafted 2nd overall by the Los Angeles Lakers in the 2017 NBA Draft.

via Joey Loose, FanSided

In more recent years the Bruins had three names grace the list from their famed 2021 Final Four team. Tyger Campbell slotted in at 14. Perhaps the best Bruin from that run actually came in two spot below him, at number 16.  

Juzang was much better off on the west coast and earned the First Team All-Pac-12 nod as a junior after making incredible contributions in his two seasons. He emerged as a fantastic scorer, averaging nearly 23 points a game in that Final Four run as a sophomore. He did plenty of great stuff for UCLA during that period before heading off to the NBA at the end of his junior season, though not before becoming a part of history.

via Joey Loose, FanSided

Coming into the top five, another forward from that 2021 team became nationally renowned in 2023 and has a chance for his own NBA opportunity very quickly. 

Jaquez played an important role during UCLA’s breakthrough success in recent years. He was twice First Team All-Pac-12, twice All-Defense in the league, but really peaked as a senior. In this most recent college basketball season, Jaquez was named Pac-12 Player of the Year and a Second Team All-American. His numbers across the board were impressive, finishing among the Pac-12’s leaders in points, rebounds, and steals. 

via Joey Loose, FanSided

Though the Pac-12 conference as a whole might cease to be a reality beyond this season, this excellent retrospective allows Bruins fans to remember just how talented their teams have been over the years.