The UCLA Bruins men's basketball team continued it's transformation from a very young and inexperienced team to a roster full of experienced starters with the addition of two more transfers. The Bruins added forward Tyler Bilodeau, a 6-foot-9 forward from Oregon State and followed that up with the addition of 6-foot-9 center William Kyle III, who played last season at South Dakota State.
Bilodeau started all 32 games last season for Oregon State, averaging 14.3 points per game and 5.7 rebounds per game. Bilodeau was 4th in the Pac-12 in field goal percentage at 53.3% and 7th in free throw percentage at 79.8%. He made 34.5% of his three-point field goal attempts, showing the ability to score from inside or outside. UCLA head coach Mick Cronin has seen enough of Bilodeau up close to realize the potential he brings to Westwood.
"We are thrilled to add Tyler to our Bruin family," Cronin said. "He is a high-character young man that I have seen develop in front of my eyes in the Pac-12. Tyler has become a very versatile threat on offense with the ability to score in the post and from behind the 3-point line. He has improved and grown his game with hard work and maturity. Tyler is a smart player who has been well-coached, and we believe that he will be a major asset for us in Westwood."
Kyle averaged 13.1 points per game, 6.6 rebounds, and 1.6 blocked shots per game for the Jackrabbits. He was named a first team All-Summit League and was the Defensive Player of the Year in the league. Kyle led the Summit League in field goal percentage at 62.3% and started 49 games in his two seasons at South Dakota State university.
"Will has established himself as a strong, athletic and talented post player, and we're looking forward to having him join our program," Cronin said. "He has a high motor, quick explosiveness and can finish at the rim, really adding another dimension to our team's frontcourt. He is a difference-maker on defense, having been recognized as the Summit League's Defensive Player of the Year in only his sophomore season. Will is a great young man with tremendous character. His backstory as a track and field athlete, who transformed into a basketball player, is amazing and continues to evolve. We are thrilled that Will has chosen to be a Bruin, and we cannot wait to get him on campus in Westwood."
The addition of Kyle and Bilodeau, along with the previous additions of Kobe Johnson, Skyy Clark, and Eric Dailey Jr., adds five experienced starters to the team, all capable scorers, and good defensive players. But the Bruins were not finished adding talent to the roster.
Last Wednesday evening, the Bruins got a commitment for 2024 from 6-foot-4-point guard Trent Perry, who had de-committed from USC after the resignation of USC head coach Andy Enfield. Perry led Harvard-Westlake high school to back-to-back state championships and was a McDonald's All-American. Cronin released a celebratory statement after Perry made his decision to attend UCLA.
"We are thrilled that Trent Perry has chosen to become a Bruin," Cronin said. "He has had a very successful high school career at Harvard-Westlake, where he was extremely well-coached by Dave Rebibo. Time after time, he stepped up in big moments and led his team to victory. He'll graduate as a back-to-back California state champion and the Gatorade California Basketball Player of the Year, along with a host of other impressive individual accolades. Trent has established himself as a dynamic playmaker, and we believe that he has a very high ceiling as his game continues to develop. We're looking forward to having him in Westwood."
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