Serbian forward Nikola Kusturica has signed a multiyear agreement to play for UCLA, making him one of the standout prospects ahead of the 2028 NBA draft. Recently turned 17, Kusturica is considered a leading candidate for the No. 1 overall pick in the upcoming draft.
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His recruitment has seen various developments in recent weeks, with Kentucky briefly in the lead and Michigan gaining traction before Dusty May's departure to the Dallas Mavericks. Gonzaga was also in the mix during his recruitment.
At the recent FIBA Under-17 World Cup in Türkiye, Kusturica proved his talent by averaging 24.6 points and 6.9 rebounds over seven games, earning a spot on the All-Star Five team and the Best Defensive Player award with averages of 2.3 steals and 1.7 blocks. He scored 37 points and grabbed nine rebounds despite Serbia's loss to the United States in the gold medal match.
Last summer, Kusturica further solidified his status as a top international prospect, winning MVP at the FIBA U16 EuroBasket while leading Serbia to gold with averages of 20.0 points, 7.7 rebounds, and 3.4 assists.
Bruins coach Mick Cronin praised Kusturica, describing him as an elite player with remarkable size and skills. Standing at 6-foot-9, Kusturica is versatile enough to play multiple positions, excelling as a scorer, playmaker, and shot blocker. He has built an impressive resume with both the Serbian national team and his club in Barcelona, where he joined the FC Barcelona system in 2023 and became the youngest player to debut for their first team in September 2025.
Kusturica is expected to make an immediate impact at UCLA, joining a team that returns three starters from last season's 24-12 record and adds four transfers from other power-conference programs, including fellow Europeans Filip Jovic and Sergej Macura.