UCLA Basketball: Mick Cronin Offers Harsh Criticism Of 2024 Bruins NBA Prospect

Cronin has never been one to hold his thoughts back.

UCLA Bruins head coach Mick Cronin has never been one to hold his thoughts back. He is an outspoken leader, who typically can get his teams to find success through his ways.

However, this year, the Bruins have seemingly taken a complete step back. In what was supposed to be more of a "rebuilding" season, the Bruins did just that.

They were incredibly inconsistent throughout, and their inexperience cost them in the end. Now, unless the Bruins run the table in the upcoming Pac-12 Tournament, they will end up missing the big dance.

Their best player has been shaky throughout the season, and Cronin said that he still has a lot to learn. That would be big man Adem Bona, who was supposed to take that next step forward this season.

“He’s got a lot to learn,” Cronin said of Bona, “but he’s got unbelievable attitude, explosion, but he’s got to learn how to play smarter. We’re trying to play through him on offense; he was never an offensive player until this year. It’s a growth spurt for him, he’s trying, I just don’t have enough help for him right now.”

Per Mick Cronin via The LA Times

Bona has potential but hasn't been able to put everything together consistently. It hurt the Bruins this season, and Bona now could head for the NBA for next year.

Even with his criticism, Cronin did compare Bona to a former top NBA player. He has a lot of respect for Bona but also can criticize where his game may be lacking.

"Ready or not, Bona could be gone to the NBA in June. Cronin compared Bona to former Cincinnati star Kenyon Martin, who went on to be the No. 1 pick in the NBA draft, while noting that the latter player stayed four years in college."

Per Ben Bolch of The LA Times

It remains to be seen what Bona will ultimately do, but the Bruins would love him back. He could develop his skillset a little more while giving them a known commodity in what is expected to be a serious roster overhaul.