Filip Jović has become UCLA’s first transfer portal addition of the offseason. The 21-year-old freshman, who spent last year at Auburn, brings promising talent to the Bruins. He posted 6.3 points and 4 rebounds per game on an efficient 64% shooting this past season. Jović closed the year strong, averaging 14 points on 66% shooting over Auburn’s final four games as he helped the Tigers capture the NIT championship. He also brings experience from 44 professional games in the ABA League, where he averaged 10.6 points while shooting 59.5%.
In the NIT title game against Tulsa, Jović contributed 12 points on 6-of-10 shooting. At 6’8″, he plays with impressive fluidity and projects as a quality wing option for UCLA. With Skyy Clark departing, UCLA has an opening to shift toward a two-guard lineup with a wing instead of relying on three guards. This structure allows Eric Dailey Jr. to remain at the four and helps the Bruins maintain a true center on the floor.
For Mick Cronin, Jović is a well-timed addition—especially given his expressed desire for a European-style player, which he joked about in a recent interview. With three years of eligibility ahead, Jović represents an important developmental piece for a UCLA team that has grown younger this offseason following the departures of Donovan Dent, Tyler Bilodeau, and Clark.
Adding Jović alongside recruits Joe Philon and Javonte Floyd effectively replaces three outgoing seniors with two freshmen and a sophomore. UCLA is expected to stay active in the portal, but this commitment already looks like a strong one. Jović proved his ability at Auburn and now gets the chance to show he can sustain the high-level play he displayed during the NIT run.
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