Despite the NCAA being in its “dead period”, UCLA head coach Mick Cronin has reportedly secured the commitments of two transfers.
Mick Cronin Secures Commitment from A Pair OF SEC Transfers As UCLA Looks To Climb Big 10 Ladder
In two years in the Big Ten, the UCLA Bruins have yet to enjoy the success that the program had in the Pac-12. However, the Bruins saw improvement last season, winning 24 games and reaching the second round of the NCAA Tournament. The Bruins are 47-23 over the last two campaigns, including 26-14 in the Big Ten, though they have not finished higher than fourth in the conference.
The Bruins were 54th in the nation in offensive ranking as they were a solid shooting team, ranking 86th in field goal percentage, 20th in 3-point percentage, and 40th in free throw percentage. They also didn’t turn the ball over. However, the Bruins’ top two scorers and three of their top five scorers don’t have any eligibility left.
UCLA also has to improve defensively if the Bruins plan on making a jump. The Bruins finished 181st in defensive rating as they struggled in most areas, which is a surprise, as Cronin is known as a defensive coach. The Bruins’ biggest strength was holding opponents to 32% from the 3-point line, though they fouled too much and didn’t rebound.
One of UCLA’s biggest weaknesses was its lack of size and depth up front. The Bruins had just two players over 6-9, and their second-tallest player, Steven Jamerson II, played just 10 minutes per game. They were outrebounded by one and recorded just three blocks per game.
So, it doesn’t come as a surprise that the Bruins’ first transfer commits are bigs who can rebound. Cronin has reportedly secured commitments from Auburn forward Filip Jovic and Mississippi State forward Sergej Macura, per On3.
What Filip Jovic and Sergei Macura Bring To The Bruins
Jovic is a 21-year-old from Bosnia and Herzegovina who has international experience. The athletic 6-8 forward picked up his production at the end of the season, totaling 55 points and 25 rebounds while helping Auburn to the 2026 NIT title.
Jovic is a physical rebounder who is efficient around the rim, connecting on 66.9% of his shots there, due to his outstanding footwork and soft touch. Jovic is also an elite offensive rebounder and gets to the foul line at a high rate, though he is limited on that end overall. Foul trouble is a major concern, as he averaged 5.3 fouls per 40 minutes this past season, and he will need to improve at the line.
Overall, Jovic averaged 6.3 points, on 64% shooting from the field, 4.0 rebounds (2.0 offensive boards). Jovic produced one double-double and scored in double-figures eight times, with three games of 18 or more points. He also had two double-digit rebound contests.
Like Jovic, Macura entered the college basketball scene after playing professionally overseas. Macura is a physical, high-energy 6-9 forward who came off the bench for most of his first season in college basketball.
Macura is an elite finisher at the rim who is also developing his perimeter game. The 21-year-old is a strong rebounder due to his instincts and a low-post defender who likes to bang. He does need to improve as a free-throw shooter and defensively.
Macura averaged 5.0 points and 4.8 rebounds (1.4 offensive) in 18 minutes for the Bulldogs. He produced one double-double, scored in double figures three times, and grabbed double-digit boards on three occassions.
Other Returning Players
Jovic and Macura project as key pieces in UCLA’s frontcourt along with returning starters Eric Dailey and Xavier Booker. Six-foot-4 guard Trent Perry made a huge jump in year two and is among three other players to return with former consensus top 100 recruits, Brandon Williams ( No. 77, 2023) and Eric Freeny (No. 94, 2024), being the others. They also have commitments from a pair of 2026 high school frontcourt players: consensus four-star forward Joe Philon and top-300 prospect big man Javonte Floyd.
With the two transfers in the fold, the Bruins have nine players committed in 2026-27. According to Connor Morrissette of Bruin247, UCLA is expected to carry between 11 and 13 scholarship players next season. Morrissette added that the Bruins will likely add at least two more transfers, if no one else transfers out.
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