Kusturica's Two-Year Path
Serbian Star Kusturica Commits to UCLA for 2028 NBA Draft Run
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Key Points
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Kusturica earned Best Defensive Player honors and was named to the U17 World Cup All-Star Five, after averaging 24.6 points and 6.9 rebounds per game (with 2.3 steals and 1.7 blocks per contest), underscoring his two-way impact as a teenager.
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He became FC Barcelona’s youngest-ever first-team player in the EuroLeague era, making his competitive debut for the club’s first team in September 2025, highlighting his elite ceiling at a very young age.
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Kusturica’s arrival on campus is expected to be delayed until August 2026 due to ongoing FIBA commitments with Serbia, affecting the timeline for his integration into UCLA and Cronin’s system.
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NIL considerations were central to UCLA’s recruitment of Kusturica, with reports of a lucrative NIL package helping secure the commitment and contributing to a broader trend of top international prospects leveraging college paths.
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The recruitment played out as a three-team race among UCLA, Kentucky, and Michigan (with Gonzaga also in the mix), influenced by coaching changes such as Dusty May leaving Michigan for the Dallas Mavericks, which helped UCLA secure him.
Seventeen-year-old Serbian forward Nikola Kusturica has committed to UCLA, making him the program's biggest recruit since Lonzo Ball in 2016, according to SB Nation. The 6-foot-8 wing, who plays for FC Barcelona in Spain, is projected to be the No. 1 pick in the 2028 NBA Draft.
Unlike most elite prospects who spend one year in college before entering the NBA, Kusturica will play two seasons for the Bruins. He arrives on campus in August 2026 and becomes draft-eligible in 2028, giving him a longer runway to develop under coach Mick Cronin.
Kusturica's Record-Breaking Resume at 17
Kusturica led Serbia to a second-place finish at the FIBA U17 World Cup, averaging 24.6 points and 6.9 rebounds per game. He also recorded 2.3 steals and 1.7 blocks per contest. The tournament named him Best Defensive Player and placed him on the All-Star Five, per The Score.
His club resume is just as striking. Kusturica became FC Barcelona's youngest-ever first-team player in the EuroLeague era, making his debut for the senior squad in September 2025, according to Daily Bruin. That combination of international medals and top-club experience makes him one of the most decorated European teenagers in recent memory.
UCLA Beat Out Kentucky, Michigan, and Gonzaga
The recruitment came down to a three-team race among UCLA, Kentucky, and Michigan, with Gonzaga also in the mix, according to The Score. Michigan's chances took a hit when coach Dusty May left the program to join the Dallas Mavericks. That coaching change opened the door wider for UCLA.
NIL — money paid to college athletes for use of their name, image, and likeness — played a central role. Reports point to a lucrative, multiyear NIL package as a key reason Kusturica chose UCLA over its rivals, per Zags Blog. Exact figures were not disclosed, but seven-figure potential was noted in reports.
Two-Year College Path Becomes the New Blueprint
Top international prospects once either jumped straight to the NBA or spent one college year before leaving. Kusturica's two-year commitment reflects a growing shift. More elite players are using college as a full development tool, building their draft stock over multiple seasons rather than rushing out after one, according to Yahoo Sports.
For UCLA, the payoff could be massive. Kusturica will still be a teenager when he arrives in 2026. His offensive skill set is already NBA-ready, though analysts note his defensive adjustment to the college game and full integration into Cronin's system will take time. He is expected to contribute early but will face a learning curve.
What This Means for UCLA's 2026–27 Season
Kusturica will not arrive until August 2026 due to ongoing FIBA commitments with Serbia's national team, per Daily Bruin. That means UCLA will have limited preseason time with its top recruit. The Bruins are also bringing in Filip Jović and Sergej Macura, two other players with European experience.
If Kusturica lives up to his projection, he could be the best player in college basketball during the 2027–28 season. Zags Blog reports he is already viewed as the likely No. 1 overall pick in 2028. For a UCLA program hungry for a return to national relevance, landing him is a major statement.
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