UCLA Men's Basketball: 3 Frontcourt Bruins Will Sit Out European Exhibition Tour

They'll be missed.

Your UCLA Bruins are currently in the midst of 10 official early practices in preparation ahead of their three exhibition games in Spain later this month.

Unfortunately, the Bruins will be missing three key frontcourt pieces, including the two UCLA commits projected to be first round NBA draft prospects in 2024.

Tracy Pierson of 247Sports reports that 7'3" Spanish center Aday Mara and 6'8" Turkish forward Berke Buyuktuncel will both not join the team until September, i.e. after these exhibition bouts in Mara's home country.

Pierson notes that Buyuktuncel is set to suit up for Team Turkey in this month's FIBA World Cup competition, and thus cannot suit up for UCLA as he vies for international gold.

6'10" Nigerian-Turkish power forward Adem Bona, a Pac-12 All-Defensive Teamer and the Pac-12 Freshman of the Year last season, continues to recuperate from his left shoulder injury incurred last spring. 

Pierson reports that the 20-year-old Bona is unable to partake in live scrimmages but has been able to do anything else thus far in practices, and is working to improve his shooting, particularly his midrange jumper.