BY ALEJANDRO LOPEZ
UCLA has made its transfer portal acquisitions official.
The Bruins announced the signings of Michigan State transfer Xavier Booker, University of Missouri-Kansas City transfer Jamar Brown and University of San Diego transfer Steven Jameson II on Friday.
Booker averaged 4.7 points, 2.2 rebounds and 0.7 blocks per game in his sophomore season.
“We are thrilled to have Xavier coming to Westwood,” Cronin said. “Xavier is a great young man who has won at the highest level, and he has been coached by a Hall of Fame coach. We evaluated him in high school and played against him last season when he was at Michigan State. He’s a great athlete and with his length, at 6-foot-11, I believe that Xavier is ready for a breakout season. He is on the cusp of realizing his potential. We really wanted an athletic big man with size and length to run the floor, alongside our guards, and he provides us with shot blocking at the rim.”
Brown averaged 17 points, 7.4 rebounds and 1.2 assists per game in his Senior year. He has one year of eligibility remaining.
“Jamar’s development has been a great story, and he is exactly what we need at his position,” Cronin said. “He’s a lights-out shooter who competes with great toughness, can rebound the ball well, and plays hard. Jamar has great character and has really earned everything in basketball the hard way, having never been a ranked prospect. He also excelled as a football player in high school. I love that Jamar is hungry and wants to prove himself. He plays with a chip on his shoulder and that is apparent when you watch him on film. We are very excited to welcome him to Westwood.”
Jameson II averaged 10.0 points, 7.8 rebounds and 1.0 assists per game in his Senior year. Jameson also retains one year of eligibility.
“Steven is a 6-foot-10 grad student who is still improving,” Cronin said. “Analytically, he was among the best rebounders in the nation the last two seasons, when you look at rebounds per minute. He has good hands and some versatility on offense with good shooting touch. He’s from Los Angeles and I know that he is very excited to be part of UCLA’s program in every way. We need his size and experience, and we are very happy to bring Steven back home.”
The Bruins also acquired New Mexico transfer Donovan Dent on March 28.
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