UCLA basketball has been quietly rebuilding its roster under head coach Mick Cronin, who has done a good job of recruiting top talent for next season. While the focus has been on UCLA football, Cronin has been working behind the scenes to improve the basketball team.
Cronin had a major problem with high school recruiting last season, but he has since turned things around. In 2026, he had a much better recruiting year, picking up top prospect Nikola Kusturica.
Cronin has now begun recruiting players in the 2027 and 2028 classes, and he has recently offered a 5-star prospect in Jordan Mize. Mize is ranked as a 4-star recruit on 247Sports and Rivals, but ESPN has him as a 5-star and the 16th-best player in the class.
Mize is a very athletic wing at 6-5 and can play both shooting guard and small forward at the next level. He can score anywhere on the court and is at his best getting downhill past his defenders and finishing through contact.
During his time with NW Rotary in the Nike EYBL circuit, Mize averaged 16.5 points, 4.8 rebounds, 3.3 assists, and 2.1 steals, showing his versatility on both offense and defense. He is a confident player who would fit well on a Mick Cronin-led team, as he wants to be coached hard and pushed to be great.
If Cronin and UCLA can land Mize, it would be a major recruiting win for the Bruins, as it would be their first 5-star commitment since Amari Bailey in the 2022 class. Cronin had a successful 2026 recruiting process, and he hopes it can translate to future success.
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UCLA’s recruiting strategy has shifted in recent years, with a focus on building through the transfer portal. However, the coaching staff is now getting back into recruiting top high school talent, which could pay off in the long run.
Mize is a player who could be a day-one starter as a freshman on most college basketball teams. He would fit very well on a Mick Cronin-led team, and his commitment would be a major boost to the Bruins’ recruiting efforts.
Cronin’s ability to land top recruits like Mize will be important to the team’s success in the future. With his strong recruiting class in 2026, Cronin is hoping to build momentum and bring in more top talent to UCLA.
The Bruins have not yet landed a commitment from a player in the 2027 high school class, but they are working hard to change that. Mize is a key target for the coaching staff, and they will be watching his progress closely in the coming months.
Cronin is building a strong foundation.