sports
UCLA Signs 17-Year-Old Serbian Guard Nikola Kusturica
UCLA signed 17-year-old Serbian prospect Nikola Kusturica to a multiyear agreement on Thursday. The 6-foot-9 guard is viewed as a possible top selection in the 2028 NBA draft and chose the Bruins over Kentucky and Michigan.
Jul 9, 12:27 PM·1m read3 sources
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UCLA signed Serbian guard Nikola Kusturica on Thursday. The 6-foot-9 prospect, who turned 17 on April 30, reached a multiyear agreement with the program and is considered a potential No. 1 pick in the 2028 NBA draft.
Kusturica stood out at the recent FIBA Under-17 World Cup in Türkiye. He averaged 24.6 points and 6.9 rebounds over seven games, earned a spot on the All-Star Five and received the Best Defensive Player award after posting 2.3 steals and 1.7 blocks per game. In the gold medal game against the United States, he scored 37 points and grabbed nine rebounds.
The prior summer, Kusturica won MVP honors at the FIBA U16 EuroBasket. He averaged 20.0 points, 7.7 rebounds and 3.4 assists in seven games while leading Serbia to the gold medal. Kusturica has been part of the FC Barcelona system since 2023.
He made his competitive debut for the club's first team in September 2025, becoming the youngest player ever to appear for Barcelona. He remains two years from NBA eligibility. UCLA coach Mick Cronin expects Kusturica to contribute immediately.
The Bruins return three starters from last year's 24-12 team and added four transfers from power-conference programs, including Europeans Filip Jovic and Sergej Macura. Kusturica selected UCLA over Kentucky and Michigan.
