That’s what the future of UCLA Bruin basketball looks like. For the next two seasons, Nikola Kusturica will bless Pauley Pavilion with some extraordinary basketball but it’ll be tough for him to top his showing Friday night against North Florida.
Kusturica had a first half out of a dream, not missing a single shot and outscoring North Florida by himself in a very impressive breakout game for UCLA’s 17-year old freshman. It wouldn’t have mattered how old Kusturica was, as Friday’s performance would have been excellent if he was 23 but instead the Serbian is putting the NCAA on notice before turning 18.
UCLA’s star freshman ended the game with 29 points on a very tidy 10-12 shooting from the field. It’s so much more than just the scoring for Kusturica
though, he knocked down 4-6 threes, blocked two shots, dished out three assists, grabbed a steal and six rebounds in only 23 minutes of work.
Head coach Mick Cronin joked that Kusturica’s performance was “all coaching” before giving a more in-depth breakdown of the stellar showing.
UCLA freshman Nikola Kusturica couldn't miss in his second game with the Bruins 😯
— SportsCenter NEXT (@SCNext) November 7, 2026
He's only 17 😳
29 PTS
6 REB
10-12 FG
4-6 3-PT FG pic.twitter.com/iiNqVniG4T
“He’s a great player. Not a good player, a great player. Because he does everything on the court,” Cronin said, highlighting the fact Kusturica had no turnovers in the game “He’s wise beyond his years.”
Even more than what the statsheet said, Kusturica looks different out there. The 6’9” forward has an incredible wingspan which will torment opponents throughout his college career. It was a great showing by the entire UCLA team but Kusturica stole the show, and it seems like it won’t be his last time doing that with the Bruins.
“Nikola got hot offensively which probably rattled them (North Florida). I know it would rattle me,” Cronin said. “That’s really the story of the game. That time was coming for him. We see it all the time, it was just a matter of when.”
This…. This is the Nikola Kusturica we were excited to see.
— Ryan Hammer🔨 (@ryanhammer09) November 7, 2026
Maybe the most all around player in the entire country at age 17. Lengthy & big, point wing, elite scorer, great defender. Does everything & never stops.
Top 1-2 prospect in the world📈 pic.twitter.com/bUHCpfgJee
Kusturica had an all-time showing in his second game of his UCLA career but Bruin fans will get to enjoy the Serbian star for a couple of seasons before Kusturica hears his name called in the NBA Draft.
This article originally appeared on UCLA Wire: Freshman Nikola Kusturica breaks out in his second game as a Bruin
