The UCLA men’s basketball team landed a big addition for its backcourt Sunday, receiving a commitment from former Texas Tech freshman guard Jaylen Petty.
The move continued a trend of adding young players out of the transfer portal. Bruins coach Mick Cronin previously landed forwards Filip Jovic and Sergej Macura, each of whom also has multiple seasons of remaining eligibility.
That is significant considering Cronin’s success as a developmental coach whose best teams have featured players who remained in his program for several years.
UCLA men’s basketball added Texas Tech transfer Jaylen Petty on Sunday. Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images The 6-foot-1 Petty projects as a starter alongside point guard Trent Perry and could be part of a three-guard lineup if the Bruins are able to land highly coveted shooting guard John Blackwell, another top target who spent his first three college seasons at Wisconsin.
Petty is coming off an impressive debut college season in which he started 22 of 33 games and averaged 9.9 points, 3.9 rebounds and 2.2 assists while making 37.5% of his 3-pointers. A Seattle native who had been a four-star prospect out of high school, Petty was a combo guard in his one season for the Red Raiders.
His addition was essential for a team losing guards Donovan Dent, Skyy Clark and Jamar Brown.
UCLA is still looking to add at least one more guard, a small forward and a brawny center through the transfer portal. The Bruins will also bring in freshman forwards Joe Philon and Javonte Floyd to supplement their returning core of Perry, guard Eric Freeny, center Xavier Booker and forwards Eric Dailey Jr. and Brandon Williams.
