Nikola Kusturica Reportedly Makes CBB Decision, Euro Star Eyed as No. 1 Pick in 2028 NBA Draft

UCLA made a big splash on Thursday by securing a commitment from FC Barcelona standout Nikola Kusturica for the 2026-27 season.

Per ESPN's Jeff Borzello, Kusturica has reached a multiyear NIL agreement with Bruins and is regarded as a potential No. 1 pick in the 2028 NBA draft.

Kusturica's college recruitment took a turn last month when Dusty May left Michigan to become head coach of the Dallas Mavericks.

As recently as June 20, Kusturica was believed to be deciding between UCLA and Michigan if he were to leave FC Barcelona to play college ball in the United States.

May was hired by the Mavs on June 23, pushing the Bruins into the pole position for Kusturica in the crystal ball projections from Travis Branham of 247Sports. He is currently a 4-star prospect and No. 56 overall player in the 2026 class by 247Sports' composite rankings, but the ceiling for the 17-year-old is off the charts.

Branham's scouting report Kusturica describes him as a "thin, lean wing with three-level scoring ability and the skill set to create his own shot."

Kusturica's most recent performance for his native Serbia came in the FIBA U17 World Cup gold-medal game against the United States on Sunday. Even though the Americans won comfortably 107-81, he was arguably the best player on the floor with 37 points and nine rebounds in 36 minutes.

UCLA will look to reap the rewards of Kusturica's unique talents. He joins fellow incoming freshman Joe Philon, as well as transfers Azavier Robinson, Jaylen Petty and Filip Jovic, looking to help the Bruins get back to being a title contender.

The Bruins have made the NCAA tournament in each of the past two years, losing in the second round as a No. 7 seed both times. They haven't advanced to the second weekend of the tournament since the 2022-23 season when they lost to Gonzaga in the Sweet 16.