Nikola Kusturica debuts for UCLA with 10 points, 5 steals
The Serbian wing led UCLA in assists, steals and blocks in an exhibition win, and fellow Serb Filip Jovic also made his debut for the Bruins.
Nikola Kusturica pulled on a UCLA jersey for the first time at Pauley Pavilion in Los Angeles, and the hosts led California Baptist 15-4 after only 14 minutes. It was the first of two home exhibition games, played Wednesday evening local time, and it ended 100-53.
Kusturica is a 6-foot-9 (206 centimeter) wing who came up through the Barcelona academy and is a freshman at UCLA. In just under 24 minutes he recorded 10 points, 8 rebounds, 6 assists, 5 steals and 2 blocks. He led his team in assists, steals and blocks.
What did Kusturica’s performance look like?
The numbers need some interpreting. He made 3 of 11 shots from the field, a modest percentage, but went 4 of 4 from the free throw line. Part of his scoring came without a hot shooting hand, and the rest of his impact showed up where shooters’ columns do not reach: cutting off passing lanes, rebounding and protecting the rim. He finished two rebounds short of a double-double.
Cade Nix, who covers UCLA for Sports Illustrated, offered a read on whether that is enough for a first impression:
Kusturica is as good as advertised, and NBA scouts will love what they see from the future first-rounder.
The club welcomed its newcomer on the official UCLA Men’s Basketball account as well, with the message “Bruin Nation, meet Nikola Kusturica!”
Who else made a UCLA debut?
Kusturica was not the only new face. Freshman Joe Philon III, Jaylen Petty, Azavier Robinson and a second Serb on the roster, Filip Jovic, who spent last season at Auburn, also played their first games for the Bruins. Jovic scored 10 points and grabbed 8 rebounds, going 3 of 6 from the field and 4 of 6 from the line, so like Kusturica he finished two rebounds shy of a double-double.
Six UCLA players reached double figures:
- Eric Dailey Jr., 25 points
- Joe Philon III, 13 points
- Jaylen Petty, 12 points
- Nikola Kusturica, 10 points
- Filip Jovic, 10 points
- Azavier Robinson, 10 points
Dailey was the top scorer, hitting 9 of 13 shots and 7 of 9 three-pointers, including the first four in a row. UCLA led 34-9 at one point, went into halftime up 54-22, and stretched the margin to 50 points in the last two minutes.
At the other end, another Serbian player suited up for California Baptist: Aleksa Milenkovic, who finished with 3 points and 6 rebounds.
What is next for UCLA after the exhibition?
The last test before the season comes Tuesday, October 27, when UCLA hosts San Diego at Pauley Pavilion. Tipoff is at 7 p.m. local time, and the game streams on Big Ten Plus. The official season opens November 2 against Arizona.
