This post was updated May 26 at 10:50 p.m.
While every season celebrates its star, it also gives rise to unexpected standouts. Whether through breakout performances or quiet consistency, several Bruins made the leap from role players to program cornerstones.

This post was updated May 22 at 11:11 p.m.
With just softball and baseball remaining in the postseason hunt, UCLA’s first year in the Big Ten is nearly in the books.

UCLA men’s basketball’s (23-11, 13-7 Big Ten) season came to an end after falling 67-58 to Tennessee in the NCAA Tournament Round of 32 at Rupp Arena in Lexington, Kentucky.

UCLA men’s basketball center Aday Mara – otherwise known as Pauley Pavilion’s sweetheart – will not return to the squad for the 2025-2026 season. 
The Spanish sophomore phenom, who tantalized the Bruin faithful with a blend of shot blocking, passing wizardry and interior scoring, is planning to continue his career away from Westwood. 
Bruin Report Online first reported the news Monday evening, which was later confirmed by two sources familiar with the situation, according to the Los Angeles Times.

This post was updated March 30 at 9:27 p.m.
UCLA men’s basketball sophomore guard Sebastian Mack entered the transfer portal Saturday afternoon, according to 247Sports.
A sixth man for the Bruins this season, Mack was often hailed for providing a spark off the bench when coach Mick Cronin’s squad was starved of offensive momentum.

This post was updated March 30 at 9:33 p.m.
Former New Mexico guard and reigning Mountain West Player of the Year Donovan Dent committed to UCLA men’s basketball Friday evening. 
The news – initially reported by On3 before Dent posted a photo of himself in a Bruin jersey on Instagram – comes just two days after former Bruin guard Dylan Andrews entered the transfer portal, leaving coach Mick Cronin without a starting floor general. 
[Related: UCLA men’s basketball guard Dylan Andrews enters transfer portal] 
Arguably the most coveted player in the portal, Dent was reportedly deciding between UCLA, Kentucky and Gonzaga after parting ways with New Mexico on Tuesday.

This post was updated March 30 at 9:35 p.m.
UCLA men’s basketball junior guard Dylan Andrews entered the transfer portal Wednesday afternoon, according to On3.
Andrews, who first assumed starting duties under coach Mick Cronin as a sophomore, struggled to maintain his offensive rhythm in the 2024-2025 season, ultimately failing to replicate his breakout sophomore campaign. 
The starting floor general closed out his sophomore season with team-leading figures in 12.9 points per game while logging 35.2 minutes a contest – the third-highest mark in the Pac-12.