Defensive coordinater Colin Hitschler walks on the field during practice. Hitschler enters his first season with UCLA after coming over from James Madison with head coach Bob Chesney. (Kai Dizon/Assistant Photo editor)
CHICAGO — For the Bruins, who ranked near last in the Big Ten in sacks, forced fumbles and tackles for loss last season, it might be hard to find optimism in defense entering the new campaign.
CHICAGO — There’s a new dawn in Westwood.
When Bob Chesney walked onto the stage at Wednesday’s Big Ten Football Media Day, he made it clear that his first season as UCLA’s head coach should come with high expectations both on and off the gridiron.
Between a loaded draft class, vibrant trade market and chaotic free agency period, summer 2026 has had general managers and basketball fanatics alike checking to make sure their heads are on straight.
Twelve former UCLA women’s basketball players – 11 rostered players and one head coach – are representing their squads in the WNBA. Six of the 11 active players came from the 2026 Draft class that won UCLA’s first national championship in the March Madness era.
The storyline of Bruin basketball for the past three seasons has been Lauren Betts.
Her departure to the WNBA, alongside the five other Bruins that were selected in the 2026 WNBA Draft, opened up space for new players to shine.
As UCLA Athletics takes a break for the summer, professional sports are still in full swing, with many Bruins, past and present, representing their teams. Throughout the summer, Daily Bruin Sports will take a look at the standout performances of current and former UCLA athletes as we count down the days until fall.
This post was updated July 19 at 11:59 p.m.
For the first time since 2023, UCLA men’s basketball brought in a five-star freshman recruit, with guard/forward Nikola Kusturica set to join the Bruins ahead of the 2026-27 season from FC Barcelona Bàsquet.
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