UCLA Basketball: Analyst Has Lofty Praise for Highly Touted Bruin Freshman
The turnaround for UCLA basketball since Mick Cronin took over as head coach in 2019 has been swift and dramatic.
The legendary program that had lost its luster under previous head man Steve Alford was rejuvenated under Cronin, spearheaded by the fiery coach's tenacious defenses.
He'd brought his hallmark at Cincinnati with him to Pauley Pavilion, quickly turning the Bruins into one of the best defenses in the country, led by great defenders like recent NBA Draft picks Jaylen Clark and Jaime Jaquez Jr.
Now it looks like the Bruins may have their next great defender in highly touted freshman Devin Williams, and CBS Sports analyst Jon Rothstein had both high praise and a big name comparison for him.
Williams, a four-star power forward and No. 77 prospect in the nation per 24/7 Sports, built his reputation at Corona Centennial HS as a smart, athletic defender, something that definitely fits the profile of a Mick Cronin recruit.
And also it's very high praise for an incoming freshman, the Jaxson Hayes comparison to Williams has truth to it.
Both came into college as skinny but athletic, defense-first players, and the 6'10," 205 pound Williams has the ability to be a game wrecker inside paired with big man Adem Bona.
For Hayes, he was one of the best freshman in the country during his one year at Texas before moving onto the NBA, and while Williams could develop more range, he will make an impact early on, especially with Jaquez in the pros now.
Williams is the freshman I'm most looking forward to see how he develops when he first takes the court for the Bruins.
He may not be a one-and-done, but given his great defensive instincts already, could grow into one of the best defenders in the Pac-12 and soon to be Big Ten over his college career.
Of course, it's only July and actual games don't begin for a few months, but Cronin and UCLA may just have another defensive gem to develop in the freshman from Corona.
